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i REPORTS 



ON THE 



i VIENNA UNIVERSAL EXHIBITION, i873 I 

: t\ 



MADE TO THE 



i U.S. CENTENNIAL COMMISSION j 



BY THEIR SPECIAL AGENTS, X 

4 
4 

W. P. BLAKE, | 

Member of the United States Centennial Commission. ♦ 

♦ 
AND 4 

HENRY PETTIT, \ 

Civil Engineer. * 



PHILADELPHIA 

July, 1873. 



♦4444444 



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/ REPORTS 



VIENNA UNIVERSAL EXHIBITION, i873 



MADE TO THE 



U. S. CENTENNIAL COMMISSION 



BY THEIR SPECIAL AGENTS, 



W. P. BLAKE, 

Member of the United States Centennial Commission. 
AND 

HENRY PETTIT, 

Civil Engineer. 



PHILADELPHIA 
July, 1873. 



<*• 



<<A?<A^ 



Mclaughlin brothers, 

PRINTERS, 

112 and 114 South Third Street, 
Philadelphia. 



REPORT. 



• 



Vienna, Austria, April 15, 1873. 
HON. D. J. MORRELL, 

Chairman of the Executive Committee of the 

United States Centennial Commission, 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America. 
Sir: 

I have the honor to report to you my arrival in Vienna on the 8th inst. 
I have had an interview with the General Director of the Exhibition, Baron 
Schwarz-Senborn, who received me favorably, and has promised to ren- 
der me all the assistance in his power. He has promised to furnish me with 
plans and statistics, and such general information as I may desire. I find, 
however, that in regard to some of the departments of the administration, 
the information is not yet so systematized that it can be given to me or to 
the public. Indeed, in the great pressure of business attending such a vast 
undertaking as this great International Exhibition, there is no time or force 
to spare in reviewing or reporting what has been done. The work, especi- 
ally at this late date, must be pressed forward at all hazards, and often at great 
sacrifices. But I am assured that I shall have, at the earliest possible mo- 
ment, answers to my various inquiries. Meantime I avail myself of all 
reliable sources of information, and have been aided by some of the gentle- 
men upon the Baron's staff. So far as regards the present condition of the 
Exhibition with reference to construction, ornamentation, installation, etc., 
it is purely a matter of critical observation, and I find that my time can 
hardly be better employed than in watching the progress made from day to 
day, and in noting the excellencies and defects of the work. 

ORGANIZATION. 

The first suggestion of holding such a great international exhibition in 
Vienna, is said to have proceeded from the Trades Union of this place, a 
very wealthy and influential combination with Baron Wertheimer, a 
manufacturer of safes at its head. It was supposed that a guarantee fund of three 
millions of florins would be sufficient to cover all possible deficiencies, and 
this sum being subscribed chiefly by the members of the society, the Gov- 
ernment made an appropriation of six millions of florins, (about three mil- 
lions of dollars). The Imperial and Royal decree constituting the Universal 
Exhibition, dates from May 24, 1870. It has been from the first under the 
immediate patronage and conduct of the Imperial Government. The Com- 
mission consists of one hundred and seventy-five members, selected from 



4 VIENNA UNIVERSAL EXHIBITION. 

the chief officers of the departments of the government, and from the lead- 
ing men of science, art and industry in the empire, especially of those who 
have taken part in former international exhibitions, as members of the com- 
missions, or as jurors, delegates or reporters, and who have gained honor 
and distinction in their respective spheres of duty. The Archduke Charles 
Lewis is named as the Protector, and the Archduke Regnier is the Pres- 
ident. 

By the Imperial decree, the general management and direction of the 
whole work was placed in the .hands of the Baron William de Schwarz- 
Senborn, in January, 1871. He was then in Paris, but hastened to Vienna 
to commence the work. To a high and just appreciation of the functions of 
great international exhibitions, and of their importance to nations and civiliza- 
tion, he has added great experience of their organization and management, 
by his official connection with them as Chief Commissioner of the Austrian 
Government, in London, in the years 1851 and 1862, and in Paris in 1857. 

The work and responsibility of this Vienna Exhibition have centered 
in the Baron from the time of his appointment. He has given it his undi- 
vided attention ; and only regrets that the time allowed him has been so 
short. He seems to comprehend and compass every detail of every depart- 
ment; and is constantly appealed to for advice, information and direction. 
The demands upon him are enormous, and his office is besieged from morn- 
ing untill night by a crowd of persons waiting their time for audience. 

He is aided by a strong staff of officers, of which a list has been prom- 
ised. There are several bureaus : one for the construction, including the 
engineers and architects ; a bureau of publication ; one for the press ; one 
for installation, etc. There are some twenty principal offices, and about 
200 persons employed. 

CLASSIFICATION. 

All the objects to be exhibited are included in twenty-six groups, with 
subdivisions as shown in the printed programmes Nos. 2 and 3, copies of the 
last edition of which are transmitted. They do not differ, I believe, from 
the printed classification which you now have. 

It is too early to discuss the merits or defects of this system of classifi- 
cation. We should wait for the practical realization of the scheme in the 
building. Its completeness, convenience, or otherwise, will begin to be 
shown, however, as soon as the work of placing the objects commences, and 
further when the international juries begin their labors. The indica- 
tions are, that the comparative element will be completely sacrificed to the 
geographical element ; that is, it will not be possible to place objects of 
essentially the same kind or nature, side by side for comparison. There is 
no fixed system of arrangement governing the placing within the transepts. 
So much space is allotted to each country, and the arrangement of articles in 
that space is left to the taste and convenience of exhibitors. The geographi- 
cal idea is thus the dominant one. If we suppose each transept to be given 
to a single country, or a group of contiguous countries, we have a series of 
separate exhibitions which the main building serves to connect together. 

It appears to me to be very unfortunate to lose the advantages of an arrange- 
ment according to the nature of the objects. To sacrifice this to the geo- 
graphical idea seems a retrograde movement in the experience of exhibi- 
tions; but as I have said, it is not just to criticise and condemn before the 
practical working of the scheme is shown by experience. 

The form of the building conforms to the geographical idea, not to the 
other, for the transepts are too narrow to allow of any systematic arrange- 
ment of the objects. Convenience and adaptation of the space alone are to 
be consulted. 



REPORT OF W. P. BLAKE. 



THE BUILDING. 



Without at present discussing the construction! of the building, the 
subject to which the attention of Mr. Pettit is especially directed, I wish 
to express some of the conclusions which have been forcibly impressed upon 
me by what I have already seen. 

i. The provision of space for most of the countries was inadequate. 

2. The form of building adopted is a very costly one, and the 
building does not permit of being enlarged by the extension of any of its 
parts. 

3. Increase of space can only be obtained by supplemental structures 
out of harmony with the original design. 

4. The costly dome is not an impressive feature from the exterior. It 
looks low and ''squat," appearing to be imbedded in the roof of the court 
about it. 

5. The structure is not fire-proof; the flooring is of pine boards, with 
open joints, and the iron columns are boxed in with boards. A fire once 
started in the flooring, and especially near the hollow walls or about the 
columns would be difficult to control. 

That the space originally provided was inadequate is sufficiently shown 
by the fact that for most of the countries it has been necessary to obtain 
greater accommodations by roofing in the courts or spaces between the 
transepts. This has been done, for example, by the United States 
Commission. The court adjoining the western transept has been roofed 
Over and floored at an expense of thirty thousand dollars ($30,000). This 
was done by contract with a French company, who undertook a similar work 
for the French Commission in the court adjoining the space allotted to France. 
The British Commission now contemplate roofing over the court opposite to 
ours. Other countries have added covered courts, and indeed it is probable 
that if time permitted, all the open courts would be closed up and covered 
with roofs, thus becoming practically portions of the main building, and 
converting it into a great rectangular structure. These covered courts are, 
however, just so many supplemental buildings, and of necessity are out of 
harmony with the original design. They impair the beauty, if there was 
any, of the primary structure. They are not only built in a variety of ways 
with facades and decorations in strong contrast with the fronts of the 
transepts, but some are not so large as others, and in the Swiss court a 
beautiful Swiss chateau is erected. The unity of design of the original 
building is in this way destroyed, and the expensive exterior mural cornices 
and decorations are not only useless, but they are really in the way of the 
supplemental work. Besides all this, it becomes necessary to secure proper 
entrances from the main building to these covered courts; and doorways 
have to be opened through the walls at very considerable cost and at great 
inconvenience to the work of installation. Installation is not only delayed 
by these radical changes, but the allotment of space has to be revised, and, 
as is now the case, the dust and dirt of tearing down a masonry wall prevents 
opening any fine goods in the neighborhood. There are other serious evils 
in a building like this entailed by any departure from the original plan, and 
we should take heed to the lessons now taught us at this exhibition, and 
either provide beforehand accommodations that will in all events be ample, 
or secure such a plan as may permit of the extension of the buildings in the 
same style of construction, in case unforseen conditions require it. 

It became necessary not only to secure additional space for the United 
States in the "Industry Palace," but in the Machinery Hall and for our 
Agricultural Machinery. The additions made for us to the Machinery 
Hall cost 12.000 florins ($6,000) by contract, and in this case, as also in the 



6 VIENNA UNIVERSAL EXHIBITION. 

contract for roofing the court, the materials at the close of the Exhibition 
belong to the contractors. 

When the Austrian Commission learned to what an extent the 
Agricultural Machinery of the United States was to be exhibited, and that 
the space assigned to our country was inadequate for the purpose, they 
erected a special pavilion for this class of machines at the expense of the 
Austrian Government. 

COST OF THE EXHIBITION BUILDINGS. 

Not only the extent of space required for the exhibition, but the cost 
of the building as projected appear to have been much underestimated. 

The estimated cost of the buildings was six millions of florins (about 
$3,000,000). I have not been able to get precise information upon the 
actual cost ; in fact, it cannot be expected. The direction is at present more 
concerned to carry out the work than to stop to revise and report what has 
been done or how it has been done. The day of opening is close at hand. 
The energies of all concerned are taxed to the utmost to create and perfect; 
and the day of analysis and reckoning has not come. 

RECEIPTS AS ESTIMATED. 

In the budget prepared by Baron Schwarz for the government Cham- 
ber of Deputies, the estimated receipts at the Exhibition are stated as 
follows : 

Rent of Spaces, 1,000,000 

Concessions, 240,000 

Season and Weekly Tickets, ........ 1,000,000 

Tickets at one florin (50 cents), 4,000,000 

Tickets at fifty kreutzers (25 cents), 6,000,000 

Sale of the buildings, 4,000,000 

Total in florins, 16,240,000 

Equivalent to about, $8,120,000 



This estimated amount of eleven millions of florins (about $5,500,000) 
for admission, is regarded by many as far beyond what will be realized. It 
will require a nearly equal number of visitors, or say ten millions, as many 
as were counted at the Exposition in Paris, in 1867. At Paris there was a 
population of 2,000,000, without including that of the surrounding country; 
and the diversity of industries centering there, enlisted the active sympathy 
and support of the laboring classes. Here the local population probably 
does not exceed 800,000, and there is not such a variety of manufactures ; 
nor so many skilled artisans. 

I do not doubt that the residents here will very generally visit the Ex- 
hibition. Probably the ratio of visitors to the total population will be 
greater here than in Paris. How it will be for the outside districts and cit- 
ies I do not yet venture to surmise, but I am inclined to think that the cost 
of transportation to this city, and the great expense of living here, together 
with an apparent absence of any suitable accommodations for persons of 
moderate means, will keep very many away, and that the total admissions 
will not be as large as estimated. The inquiry is an interesting and impor- 
tant one — the ratio of visitors to the population — and I hope to pursue it 
with direct reference to our own estimates of receipts, and the adoption of 
such a policy of transportation and charges, as shall secure the best results 
to our people, and to the finances of our Exhibition in 1876. 



i 

REPORT OF W. P. BLAKE. 7 

ALLOTMENT OF SPACE. 

The partition of space among the various participating countries in 
great exhibitions is one of the most important questions connected with such 
enterprises. Not only the population, resources and industrial activity of the 
country are to be considered, but also their geographical position and com- 
mercial relations. Each new exhibition held in a new locality presents a dif- 
ferent scheme of distribution. The country in which the exhibition is made, 
of course takes the greatest portion of space, and this portion is the central 
attraction, usually, in such displays. The subject is of great importance in 
the inception of all exhibition enterprises, for the architects and engineers 
of the plan cannot wait for the ultimate announcement from each nation of 
the space they will require. The wants of the nations in this regard must 
be anticipated in a general way. A comparative study of what has been 
allotted to and occupied by the various countries in previous exhibitions is 
thus important to those who project and conduct a great exhibition. I, 
therefore, introduce here the latest figures in regard to the space allotted to 
the several nations, and refer for comparison to the published statements of 
the space occupied in Paris in 1867. 

The total interior space of the Palace of Industry, irrespective of the 
dome and of the courts, is counted at 60,000 square metres. This space is 
allotted as follows: 

TABLE. 
Shoiving the space allotted to the several countries. 

SQUARE METRES. 

Austria, .' 14,767 

Germany, 6,741 

France, ■ 6,380.5 

Great Britain, . 6,369.5 

Russia, 3,369 

Hungary, 2,972 

Italy, 2,972 

Turkey, 2,948.5 

Belgium, 2,613.75 

^United States, i j35° 

China, Siam, Japan, T >35° 

Switzerland, X » I2 5 

*South America 1,090 

Egypt and Central Africa, 1,003.5 

Holland, . 880.75 

Greece, 867.5 

Sweden and Norway, 865 

Roumania, 657.5 

Spain, 605.5 

Portugal, 519 

Persia and Central Asia, 346 

Tunis, 259.5 

Morocco, 86.5 

It will be seen that the two extreme nations, the most eastern and west- 
ern, Japan on the one hand and the United States on the other, are allowed 
an equal amount of space. .The population of each is also nearly the same, 



* By a recent decision this space has been considerably increased, which is explained 
at page 8. 



8 VIENNA UNIVERSAL EXHIBITION 

but by a recent arrangement, the space given to the United States has been 
increased, so that the figures given in the table for the United States, for 
South America, and for Great Britain, the three countries with contiguous 
spaces in the building, are not now exact. 

Contrary to the leading idea of Baron Schwarz-Senborn, which is 
the geographical allotment of space from west to east in the order of suc- 
cession of the countries, Great Britain had possession of the extreme western 
end of the main hall, in the centre of the transept given to North and South 
America, and had also penetrated into the space allotted to Brazil. Visitors 
to the building would, therefore, on entering at the extreme western end, 
find themselves in the British section, and would be obliged to turn to the 
right or left in order to reach American productions. This was not only in 
violation of the geographical principle, but the United States were deprived 
of space that was needed, though perhaps too tardily claimed. By the 
earnest efforts of Mr. Thomas McElrath, one of the U. S. Commissioners 
from New York, seconded by the support and assistance of Assistant Com- 
missioner James, and of our Minister, Mr. Jay, this space has been secured 
to the United States, and the British products will find ample additional 
space in the court adjoining their portion of the building. This may be 
taken as an example of the adjustment and re-adjustment of space, which 
always attends great exhibitions, and which sometimes gives rise to excited 
and bitter feelings, in this instance most happily avoided. 

THE INSTALLATION. 

This great and laborious part of the enterprise should now be nearly or 
quite completed in order to open the Exhibition with eclat, according to 
the programme, on the first of May. When I arrived I was astonished to 
find that the work had only just commenced. I may still say that it is only 
begun ! Chaos reigns where order is expected. The work is two months 
behind. No amount of effort, no money can receive, distribute, open and 
unpack the cases in time. It is a great disaster, and is a great lesson to 
us, yet an often repeated lesson taught by each Exhibition in succession. 
Want of time ! Not enough time allowed for construction, not enough for 
the transportation and reception of goods. 

The loss to the Exposition, the delay of the work, is a gain so far as my 
mission is concerned, for the whole experience of the installation may be 
had. The work is very instructive, but has not progressed far enough to 
allow me to report upon it in time for the May meeting of the United States 
Centennial Commission. It will require my close attention from this time 
onwards, probably until the first of June, or later, for I fear that that day 
will not find all the articles duly placed. 

Some preliminary statements of the present condition of the work will, 
however, be instructive; and may serve to impress upon the Commission the 
vital importance of the early commencement of the work of construction of 
our buildings, of their early completion and the early reception of articles, 
some of them months before the Exhibition is to be opened. 

It was only in the last week of March, and the first week of this month, 
that merchandise began to arrive here in quantity for the Exhibition. Since 
then it has been concentrating rapidly, much to the embarrassment of all 
concerned. The Northern Railway has been blocked for several days. Four 
hundred freight cars are jammed together, and still others come. The road 
from Trieste, fortunately, not being so much crowded remains open, and 
several trains loaded with the cargo of the "Supply," recently arrived from 
the United States, were en route last night (14th). 



REPORT OF W. P. BLAKE. g 

From the ioth to the 23d of March, 657 freight cars transported within 
the enclosure of the Exhibition 31,280 quintals* of objects From the 24th 
to the 31st of March, 675 cars delivered 60,777 quintals, among which were 
2,006 quintals from Japan. From the 31st of March until the 1st of April, 
774 cars delivered 60,560 quintals. 

I have already been much instructed by watching the reception of these 
packages. Although the long buildings have one or more railway tracks ex- 
tending parallel with them on both sides, and alongside of parts of the In- 
dustry Palace there are three parallel tracks, these tracks are more or less 
encumbered by the work of construction still going on, and by cars either 
full or partly empty, so that a car arriving with goods (say for the United 
States section) cannot reach that end (arriving as it would from the East), 
and must wait its turn or opportunity. In consequence of such delays and 
difficulties some cars are unloaded at a distance from the part of the build- 
ing for which their contents are designed, and then commences a struggle 
to get the cases forward. I have seen from ten to twenty sailors tugging 
away at enormous cases of goods, striving to push or haul them on little, 
ordinary barrel-trucks over the loose, uneven, gravelly ground from the cars 
to the buildings, or from one side of the building to the other, outside. 
Some cases are rolled over and over, some are carried on the shoulders of 
men, and the wonder is how they get into the building without the destruc- 
tion of the contents. The necessity for transverse tracks is clearly shown, 
and for the adoption of a good system of unloading and subsequent distri- 
bution. It is to be particularly noted that the ground about a new building 
is new, and, as usual, is greatly encumbered with all sorts of debris, with 
timbers, stone, mortar beds, scaffolding, and the like, and even if the roads 
are made, they are soft and almost impassable. No adequate preparation 
appears to have been made for the unloading and reception of the goods. 
This is a subject which should engage attention in connection with the plan 
of the building for the Exhibition in 1876. 

Branch tracks from the railways are also extended alongside of, and -into, 
the Machinery Hall, on both sides. This greatly facilitates the placing of 
the machinery. In addition, an elevated track is constructed, along which 
a truck fitted with hoisting gear traverses back and forth directly over the 
foundations for the machines. The tracks are laid upon the top of the sup- 
ports provided for the shafting on one side, and upon a similar line of sup- 
ports on the other next to the wall of the Hall. This elevated railway is 
represented upon the drawings and plans of the Machinery Hall which you 
already have in the office. Theoretically, this elevated hoisting truck 
appears to afford all the facility for the installation of heavy machinery 
that could be desired ; but, practically, the working does not appear to 
have been satisfactory, and little use, so far, has been made of these expen- 
sive arrangements. One good reason is, the track is not made continuous 
from one end to the other of the building. It is broken into sections. 
Numerous trucks are therefore required, and the range of movement of each 
is confined to the section on which it is placed. If the track were made to 
be continuous from one end of the building to the other, one hoisting truck 
on a side would answer. The floor tracks, being continuous, heavy objects 
are taken upon the platform cars directly to the place where they are to be 
laid down, and for objects of moderate size and weight a steam crane mounted 
upon a platform car suffices for the rapid unloading and transfer to the pre- 
cise spot designed for them. 



•The quintal — One hundred pounds, nearly. 



IO VIENNA UNIVERSAL EXHIBITION. 

The work of installation of machinery is yet far behind hand. There 
are but few pieces of machinery yet set up, and much of the shafting is yet 
to be hung. Mr. Pickering, the American machinist, is here, and is now 
actively engaged in preparing the United States section of the Machinery 
Hall for the reception of the machinery. 

Much anxiety and delay have been caused in the installation work of 
the United States section in all of the departments, by reason of the absence 
of any plan drawn to a scale of the space assigned to the country, with the 
portions of space allotted to each exhibitor marked off upon it, as was 
required by the circular letter of the General Director, No. 20, in which 
each foreign Commission was enjoined to have such plans ready before the 
first day of January, 1873. No such plan has, up to this time, been sent in 
or exhibited, by the United States Commission ; and the exhibitors who 
are here and ready to commence the construction of cases and foundations 
for their goods are obliged to wait. 

In the British section nearly all of the spaces allotted were first marked 
off on the plans, and from thence were marked off upon the floor of the Hall. 
In walking through the British section one sees everywhere, in red lines 
painted upon the floor, the exact size of the base of the case to be erected 
upon that site, and the name of the person to whom the concession has 
been made. This system is very convenient and satisfactory to the managers 
and exhibitors, and saves much confusion and delay. It is difficult, especially 
in the United States, to obtain a full response to the invitation to exhibit in 
season to permit of this way of allotting and indicating the space, but it should 
be insisted on as far as it is possible to enforce it. The merit of the system 
is very clearly shown at the present time in the building where the British 
exhibitors or their agents are progressing favorably in the erection and 
placing of the cases, while in our section no exhibitor yet knows where to 
begin to work, and not a single case is in readiness to receive goods. The 
floor has first to be marked off according to a prearranged plan. Similar 
embarrassment and delay occurred from the same cause in Paris in 1867. 
At that exhibition the Imperial Commission required each committee of 
admission to have a plan prepared upon a scale of o m . 020 to the metre, 
indicating exactly the partition of the space among the exhibitors in the 
respective groups. Conferences were held upon the subject of the form and 
style of the cases, the effort being made to adopt them to the nature of the 
objects to be exhibited, and to secure such harmony in the form and 
decoration as would produce the most satisfactory effects. So far as yet 
appears, little or no attention has been given to this subject here, and the 
stall like constructions which I see looming up in the centre of some of the 
transverse halls cause me to fear that the general effect will be in very many 
places greatly impaired by such outgrowths of commercial greed, designed 
more for advertising the trade than to protect the objects and show their 
quality. 

The construction of cases is a very important matter connected with 
exhibitions, and they cost no small part of the whole outlay. Large 
establishments in England already have their agents here who are prepared 
to supply cases out of stock at a few days notice. 

There is a system of labeling cases and of recording them as they are 
delivered at the building, which will receive my attention. Storage has 
been provided for empty packages and boxes in the vicinity of the Exhibi- 
tion, and to these depots workshops have been added, so that all the cases 
which require it may be repaired and put into perfect order for the reception 
of the goods at the close of the exhibition. A fixed tariff of the charges 
for the storage has been adopted and published as follows : 



REPORT OF W. P. BLAKE. 

TARIFF 
Of charges for storing empty packages, including porterage and repairing 

CHARGE FOR REPAIRING. 



BIC CONTENTS 

IN 


RENT. 


Slightly Damaged 
Cases. 
I Class. 


Badly Damaged 
Casbs. 

II Class. 


Broken Cases. 
Ill Class. 


METRES. 




FLORINS IN 


AUSTRIAN CURRENCY. 


up to Y> 

" I 


o.6o 

o.8o 

I.OO 


. IO 

•15 

.20 


.20 

•30 

.40 


.40 
.60 
.80 


" 2 


1.20 
I.40 


•25 

•3° 


•50 
.60 


I.OO 
I.20 




I.70 
2.00 


.40 
•5° 


.70 
.80 


I.40 
T.60 


" 4 


2.3O 
2.6o 


.60 

•75 


.90 

I.OO 


I.SO 
2.00 


" 5 
" 6 


3.OO 

3-5° 
4.00 


.90 

I. TO 
I.30 


IX 5 
i-35 
i-55 


2.3O 
2.6o 
2.9O 



The Official Contractor is accountable for all Cases except when 
damaged by fire or by unforseen circumstances. 

Applications for the return of packages with the exact destination must 
be made at the office of the warehouse. 

All charges must be paid in advance upon the delivery of the voucher. 

CATALOGUES. 

Provision has been made in advance, as is usual, for the publication of 
a General Catalogue of the Exhibition. It will be in the German language, 
and a maximum of twenty words is allowed to each exhibitor. The duty 
of supplying the information devolves upon each of the foreign commis- 
sions, and it was expected and ordered that all the necessary particulars, and 
in the German language, should be furnished not later than the 15th of Feb- 
ruary, 1873. I n tne case °f tne United States, and I presume in other 
countries, the applications for space came so tardily, and at such late dates, 
that it has been impossible to fully comply with the regulations, but I under- 
stand that a catalogue of the United States section is now in type and will 
shortly be issued. A new edition will, however, be required in order to 
comprise the later contributions. 

It is understood that Japan will publish a special catalogue containing 
many statistics and much interesting information concerning that country 
not hitherto published. Such special catalogues are not to be sold, but will 
be distributed under regulations made by the General Director. Further 
details may be obtained by consulting No. 70 of the official programme. 

THE INTERNATIONAL JURY. 

The appointments upon the International Jury are now being made. 
Each commission is expected to furnish the names of competent scientists 
and experts for the several departments of the Exhibition. In the distribu- 
tion of the officers of the juries of departments the United States has been 
honored by the opportunity to nominate the President of the Jury upon the 
26th group, Education, Instruction, &c. ; also the President of the Depart- 
ment Jury upon Trade and Commerce ; and the Vice-President of the group 
(18) upon. Civil Engineering and Architecture ; and of the group (20) in- 



12 VIENNA UNIVERSAL EXHIBITION 

eluding farm houses, etc. There are two Vice-Presidents to each group, 
and the distribution of the appointment of these officers among the various 
nationalities is shown by the following summary: 

i. Mining and Smelting — P., Sweden; V. P., Austria and Germany. 

2. Agriculture, Wine, Fruit and Garden, and Forestry — P., Austria; 
V. P., Hungary and England. 

3. Chemical Industries — P., Germany; V. P., France and Austria. 

4. Preparations of Food — P., Hungary; V. P., Portugal and Brazil. 

5. Textile Fabrics and Clothing — P., Austria; V. P., Belgium and 
Germany. 

6. Leather and India Rubber Goods — P., Russia; V. P., Austria and 
Turkey. 

7. Manufacture of Metals — P., Belgium ; V. P., England and Austria. 

8. Manufacture of Wood — P., Russia; V. P., Denmark and Hungary. 

9. Manufacture of Stone, Clay, and Glass — P., France ; V. P., Austria 
and Belgium. 

10. Hardware — P., Germany; V. P., Austria and Italy. 

11. Manufacture of Paper — P., Austria; V. P., Japan and Holland. 

12. Graphic Arts and Designs for Trade — P., England; V. P., France 
and Austria. 

13. Machinery and Means of Transport — P., Austria; V. P., Germany 
and England. 

14. Scientific Instruments — P., Switzerland; V. P., Germany and 
Austria. 

15. Musical Instruments — P., Italy; V. P., Austria and France. 

16. Army — P., Austria; V. P., Russia and Sweden. 

17. Navy — P., England; V. P., Austria and Greece. 

18. Agricultural and Civil Engineering — P., France; V. P., North 
America and Austria. 

19. Middle class Dwelling Houses and their Interior Arrangements and 
Decorations — P., Holland; V. P., Switzerland and Egypt. 

20. Peasant Farmer's House, (Bauernhaus) with its Arrangement and 
Furniture — P., Hungary; V. P., North America and Russia. 

21. National "House Industry" — P., Turkey; V. P., Persia and 
China. 

22. Exposition of the Working of Museums for Art Manufactures — P., 
Austria; V. P., Italy and Holland. 

23. Ecclesiastical Art — P., Italy ; V. P., Spain and Austria. 

24. Is wanting. 

25. Contemporary Imitative 'Art — P., Austria; V. P., France and 
Germany. 

26. Training — Instruction and Education (Erziehungs, Unterrichts 
und Bildungs wesen)— P., America; V. P., England and Austria. 

It is supposed that this jury will be organized and commence the exami- 
nations in June, and report in July. 

INTERNATIONAL PATENT LAW CONGRESS. 

Among the several important industrial and scientific congresses pro- 
posed, that upon the protection of property in inventions is especially 
interesting to citizens of the United States. The proposition for such an 
International Congress has only recently been promulgated. It is stated that 
the suggestion proceeds from the United States government. The sessions are 
to commence after the close of the jury deliberations on the 4th, 5th, and 
6th of August next, and they will be opened by the Director General of the 
Exhibition. The President and Bureau will be elected by the members of 



REPORT OF IV. P. BLAKE. I3 

the congress. The governments of nations participating in the Exhibition 
are invited to be represented in the congress by specially appointed dele- 
gates. A general discussion of the question of Patent protection is ex- 
pected, and the opportunity to be heard is especially favorable for those 
who have found reason to criticise the operation of the Austrian patent laws 
as against the interest of American inventors. The whole question of pro- 
tection of intellectual property is involved in the proposed discussion, 
though it may be premature and indiscreet to extend the deliberations 
beyond the subject of patent laws to the arts of design and to the question 
of international copyrights. Inasmuch as the subject is one of great im- 
portance to modern industrial progress, and especially so to American 
inventors, whose productions are found in every land, I hope that the com- 
mission will, in some special manner, indicate its appreciation of the oppor- 
tunity to be heard in this international deliberation. It is a subject which 
certainly cannot be disposed of at this exhibition, but the foundations may 
be laid for a more general and complete congress of the nations as a part of 
our national celebration and exhibition in 1876. No more appropriate and 
significant discussion could be instituted at that time, and there is no other 
soil upon which the right of property in the productions of the brain as 
well as of the hands can be so freely and justly discussed. I append a 
proof copy of the official programme of the congress, translated from the 
German, (No. 80,) as follows: • 

"No. 80. 

UNIVERSAL EXHIBITION IN VIENNA, 1873. 

International Congress for the Consideration of the Question of Patent Protection. 

PROGRAMME. 

In the series of disputed questions within the province of political legis- 
lation belongs at this moment the question of Patent Protection, or rather 
the question of the protection of the right of invention. 

As an object of legislation its origin extends back to former centuries, 
as for instance, in Great Britain the right of the Crown to the concession of 
Patents for invention was established by the acts of Parliament of 1623. 
But as a matter of controversy, it is scarcely twenty years old ; yet, notwith- 
standing its recent date, it already possesses its peculiar history. The ques- 
tion of Patent Protection, as it now stands, includes no longer simply the 
inquiry how the right of the Inventor is to be protected in the best manner, 
the most conformable to its design and the least prejudicial to the general 
welfare ; and whether the natural* right of the inventor may be regarded in 
advance as absolutely justified ; but the question rather imposes upon those 
who apply themselves to its consideration, first, the duty of refuting the 
latest doubts and scruples against the practicability and economical utility 
of such a protection ; and then the endeavor to effect a uniform transforma- 
tion of the existing law of Patents, which is now as various as it is compli- 
cated. 

It would scarcely accord with the importance of the pending question of 
Patent Protection to disregard the chief arguments of its opponents. There 
exists to-day an anti-patent movement, which since i860 has extended too 
far, and the causes of which movement bear, in part at least, too much upon 
views which are generally acknowledged by the economical progress of our 
age to justify at this time as hitherto a partial solution of that problem. 

The complete abolition of all Patents for inventions, such is the motto of 
this movement ; Patent Protection, the maintenance and improvement of 
the existing Patent law, if possible in simple form, and by international agree- 
ment : such is the watchword of the other. 



14 



VIENNA UNIVERSAL EXHIBITION. 



The present condition of Patent legislation in the most enlightened and 
progressive countries, shows on which side the majority stands ; with the 
exception of Switzerland, and with her Holland, which recently abolished 
her Patent law, the legislation of all the other Industrial States to-day recog- 
nizes the protection of Patents as a necessity ; and the history of the Patent 
system for the last twenty years is a continuous evidence of the tendencies 
of the respective Governments, not in the direction of a gradual abolition, 
but in the direction of a thorough reform of Patent Protection, and espe- 
cially in removing the disadvantages of a territorial limitation of Patents 
granted for inventions. 

All the views, however, even those of the partisans of Patent Protection, 
unite invariably and unexceptionally in this, that the protection of the rights 
of inventors needs new forms corresponding to the altered international com- 
mercial relations ; and that the solution of this question of reform should not 
be aimed at separately as hitherto, by each State of the great international 
commercial area, but rather that a complete solution common to all States 
should be accomplished by international agreement. 

This work of reform can the less dispense with such unanimity, as the 
present territorial limitation of Patents for invention forms one of the chief 
defects of the existing system, and, as matters now stand, the days of Patent 
Protection on the Continent may be regarded as numbered, should the effort 
fail to establish an universal rule and introduce it into the law of nations. 

We live no longer in the day of Industrial action, which is strictly con- 
fined and is removed from foreign competition, and where slow communi- 
cation prevents or delays the utilization of inventions. We live at a time of 
liberal customs policy ; steam and electricity have newly united once isola- 
ted seats of industry in a way undreamt of, and the mutual exchange of goods 
shows to-day a magnitude which a generation ago one could not have 
imagined. Under such altered relations, the Patent granted for an inven- 
tion in one country becomes in fact a restriction unprofitable and obstruc- 
tive, if the same invention, without limitation or increase in price, becomes 
in an adjoining country common property. The artisan who in the one 
country must work with the auxiliary material there patented and therefore 
dearer in price, will suffer an essential injury as soon as the same material is 
produced in the other country, not only without restriction, but with a dam- 
aging competition. Moreover, a continuance of the hitherto antagonistic 
views and measures would scarcely conduce to the preservation of general 
harmony ; and if, for example, Patent Protection were maintained in one 
country, so as to attract thereby skilled operatives from another, then the 
danger of disturbance of the international industrial balance might readily 
be apprehended. Such and similar inconveniences can only be met by the 
common action of all civilized States, disposed to the maintenance of Patent 
protection. 

The solution of this problem maybe alike difficult and tedious, but the 
impossibility of its solution has, however, not been proven, and it is, at all 
events, a problem the importance of which is worthy the effort. 

But where for such an attempt could be found an occasion more appro- 
priate and more legitimate, than one where the laboring part of mankind 
meet from all quarters of the world in peaceful rivalry ! where men of 
science, and of practical ability, scientific artisans and political economists, 
representatives of the higher industry and the smaller trades, unite to bear 
testimony of the high degree of culture to which education, labor, and 
inventive spirit have advanced the human race ! 

The Vienna Exposition of 1873 called for the embodiment of universal 
progress in culture, would seem more peculiarly adapted to pay tribute to 



REPORT OF W. P. BLAKE. 15 

the spirit of invention, even from the standpoint of modern legislation, and 
to form the starting era for a new and universal codification of the rights of 
inventors. Had there been any doubt of the connection of this right with 
the aims and ends of such an Universal Exposition, previous Exhibitions 
would have solved it. The recent patent legislation of England is the 
immediate result of the London Expositions of 1851 and 1862, while the 
Paris Expositions of 1855 and 1867 produced, as is well known, temporary 
protection laws, which it was thought expedient to imitate, in the prepara- 
tory acts for the Vienna Universal Exposition of 1873. (Law of 13th 
November, 1872.) 

In pursuance of these views, and following a suggestion of the Govern- 
ment of the United States of America, the general direction of the 
Universal Exposition intends to unite with the Exposition an International 
Congress, which shall discuss the question of patent right. Should this 
discussion, as may be forseen, induce a vote in favor of patent protection, 
it will then be the task of this Congress, on the basis of the experience of 
various countries and the materials collected, to proceed to a declaration of 
fundamental principles for an International reform of Patent legislation. 

The International Congress for the consideration of the question of 
Patent protection is to take place after the close of the Jury deliberations, 
on the 4th, 5th, and 6th of August, 1873, under the following regulations: 

1. Manufacturers, scientific artisans, political economists, and other 
experts, are entitled to participation in the Congress, in both its full and 
sectional deliberations, and in its decisions. 

2. The applications for participation in the Congress must be made to 
the respective Exposition Commissioners, domestic and foreign. Based 
upon the applications communicated by these commissions (at the latest by 
the end of June, 1873,) t0 ^ ie Director General of the Universal Exposi- 
tion, cards entitling the applicants to membership will be transmitted to 
them. 

3. It will rest with the governments of nations which exhibit, to be 
represented in this Congress by special delegates. 

4. At the seat of the general direction, a committee of preparation 
will be appointed, whose duty it shall be to prepare the materials to be laid 
before the Congress, to elaborate the matters of enquiry, and in general to 
prepare all the preliminary matters for opening of the Congress. 

5. The Director General of the Universal Exposition opens the Con- 
gress. After its opening, the Congress elects from its members the President 
and the Bureau, determines the order of business for the accomplishment of 
its work, and proceeds then to a general discussion of the question of Patent 
protection. 

The decisions of the Congress will be communicated through the 
several commissions to the respective governments. 

6. The language of the Congress is German, but the English, French, 
and Italian are also admitted. 

7. All written communications, works, and propositions relative to 
the International Congress for the consideration of Patent protection, are 
to be addressed to the General Direction up to th^ time of the opening of 
the Congress, but during its sittings, to the Bureau of the Congress. 

The President of the Imperial Commission : 

ARCHDUKE REGNIER. 

The Chief Manager : 

Baron de Schwarz-Senkorn. 
42 Praterstrasse. March, 1873. Vienna." 



VIENNA UNIVERSAL EXHIBITION. 



FOREIGN COMMISSIONS. 



The importance attached to the Vienna Exhibition by the principal 
nations, is well shown by the character of the commissions they have 
appointed. In each of the European nations, the most gifted and prominent 
men have been selected to do honor to the occasion. At no previous exhi- 
bition has there been such an array of names of men distinguished as states- 
men, philosophers, or leaders in the industrial world. Spain sends no less 
than 271 commissioners, Switzerland 219, Italy 786, and Germany 204. 
Belgium sends 83 commissioners, presided over by the Count of Flanders, 
and a sub-commission of specialists for each group, numbering over 100. 
The annexed summary, drawn from the official list, may be interesting. I 
transmit also the list complete : 

SUMMARY 
Of the Commissions appointed by some of the principal countries. 

Belgium, 183 

Brazil, 6 

Denmark, 29 

Germany, 204 

Egypt, 20 

France, 41 

Greece, 18 

Great Britain, . 43 

Italy, .786 

Japan, 20 

Netherlands, 12 

Portugal, 77 

Roumania, . 15 

Russia, 85 

Sweden, 40 

Switzerland, 219 

Spain, 271 

Turkey, 49 

PROGRESS OF THE CONSTRUCTION. ■ 

The progress of the construction of the buildings, from the erection of 
the first scaffolding up to the present date, is very instructively shown by a 
series of photographs, taken at intervals, by the Photographic Association. 
As a complete set of them will be forwarded to you by Mr. Pettit, I refer 
to them for many details which cannot readily be described. I have, how-' 
ever, obtained two of the latest and most general views of the buildings to 
inclose with this part of my report, so as to make sure of your receiving 
them in season, as possibly the larger collection may be delayed in the trans- 
mission. I could only obtain one of these views unmounted. It shows the 
condition of the exterior of the dome on the 19th day of last month 
(March 19). The annular court to which I have made reference is here dis- 
tinctly shown, the curved roof being seen at the base of the dome. 

I would here direct attention to the expensive and elaborate decoration 
of the exterior of the buildings. It is true that the materials are cheap and 
that the decoration is not permanent, but it suggests a serious question for 
the Commission to decide. Shall our buildings in 1876 be subordinated to 
the exhibition of the products of the country and of industry generally, or 
shall the buildings form a part of the exhibition? If we subordinate all 
construction to the simple protection of the objects from the weather, the 



REPORT OFJV. P. BLAKE. i 7 

cost will be much less than otherwise, and it is at least possible that the 
attention of the world will be more fully concentrated upon the evidences of 
our national wealth and prosperity than if we had ornamental buildings. 
For a permanent building the case is different. In such a structure we may 
and should show fully our skill and taste in construction. 

Most of the ornaments in relief about this Vienna building, are cast in 
plaster upon a loose netting of hempen cloth, which serves to strengthen 
the cast and does away with the necessity of having much weight of material. 

The second photograph gives a perspective view of the whole range of 
buildings, including the Machinery hall in the rear. This view was taken 
on the 7th day of March last (No. 58. General view from the Southeast). 
It gives a very good idea of the present general condition of the exterior, 
except that there is now a heavier staging about the lantern of the dome, for 
the purpose of fixing there the huge gilded crown, and that the foreground 
is now encumbered with trains of cars and boxes of merchandise. Many 
supplemental structures have also been erected. 

The land for the exhibition was obtained from the Emperor without 
expense. The whole exhibition space is now enclosed by cheap and appa- 
rently temporary board fences, so that the public are excluded from the 
grounds about the building, including the outside constructions and gardens. 
At present but few persons except those engaged upon the work, or officially 
connected with it, are allowed inside of the enclosure. 

The building is by no means complete. A part of the scaffolding remains 
about the dome and the main entrance. The huge gilded crown, which is 
to surmount the dome, has just been raised to its place. Inside of the dome 
the decoration is not yet half complete, and not one-fourth part of the floor- 
ing is laid. This is the least complete part of the building, and although it 
may perhaps be completed before the opening day, it certainly will not be 
in season to permit of the reception and proper installation of articles. It 
is very doubtful whether any portion of the Exhibition will be in complete 
order by the first of May. The work is everywhere behind-hand, and 
though the ceremony of opening may take place upon the appointed day, it 
will take one month longer to get the Exhibition in good order. 

My first impressions were that all the preparations were at least two 
months behind-hand. It certainly would be greatly to the advantage of the 
Exhibition if, on the 15th of February last, the work had been as far ad- 
vanced as it now is. The buildings should have been completed at the com- 
mencement of winter, leaving only portions of the interior decoration to pro- 
ceed simultaneously, if necessary, with preparations for the installation. 
The winter has been exceedingly favorable for the work of construction. 
There has not been any severely cold weather, and but very little snow. Had 
it been otherwise, the building would probably not have been ready at this 
time for the reception of goods. 

The price of labor, it is said, has nearly doubled here since the work 
commenced. Extensive public improvements have been made at the same 
time, and now the price of labor is about three florins a day, or about $1.50. 
One reason for the scarcity of laborers, especially of skilled artisans, may be 
found in the fact that the flower of the young men of the country are im- 
pressed into the army, some 500,000 being in this way withdrawn from pro- 
ductive industry. For a long time over 5,000 men were employed upon the 
constructions. From the very first a company of government engineers was 
placed under the orders of the Director, and rendered important service. 

The ornamentation of the grounds is now progressing. Trees, espe- 
cially evergreens, are being set out in the plats, and along the roads and 
paths. Depressions are being filled in with soil, and quantities of debris are 
being carted away. It is a scene of great activity and exertion. On every 



^ VIENNA UNIVERSAL EXHIBITION 

side partly finished structures are to be seen, with piles of lumber and mate- 
rials about ; all kinds of work are going on simultaneously, and in the midst 
of it all the goods come pouring in from all parts of the world. The ad- 
ministration is hurried and overworked. Assistance of the proper kind 
cannot be procured, laborers demand twice or three times as much as they 
usually receive, and the wonder is that order can be so soon evoked from 
such discordant and unfavorable conditions. 

One great lesson which each succeeding international exhibition has 
taught is here repeated — want of time. Not enough time was allowed for 
the construction of the building and its decoration. It should have been 
finished before the installation of the objects commenced. A part of this 
delay and confusion results, however, from the erection of additions and 
making alterations. The exhibitors, as usual, have been tardy. They did 
not come forward in good season and have their products ready to send at 
the appointed time. This deranges all of the work, and impairs the success 
of the Exhibition. It is an element beyond the control of the administra- 
tion, and the only remedy — a rigid adherence to the regulations excluding 
all objects not entered and shipped by the specified date — is too ungracious 
and exclusive to be adopted. Criticism or complaint from American 
exhibitors or American citizens in regard to the delay in the building or 
installation would come with a very bad grace at this time, when our pro- 
ducts have only just reached the country, and cannot possibly be placed in 
good order before the first day of May. 

Much may be accomplished in the remaining two weeks, and in some por- 
tions of the building order and beauty may be secured. No delay or post- 
ponement of the opening ceremony is contemplated. A recent official order 
says the opening will positively take place at noon on the appointed day. 
The great rotunda will be vacant, and is to be the place of the ceremony. 
It will be decorated with the flags of the participating nations. The Em- 
peror, the Empress, the Court and the military are to be present. Music is 
to form a prominent feature of the occasion. National airs are to be played 
by the united bands. 

The Emperor, and Empress will walk through the principal parts of the 
building and greet the Commissioners from the several countries in succes- 
sion, as the portions of the building assigned to those countries are reached. 

After this ceremony the work of unpacking and arranging must proceed 
rapidly, but will be embarrassed by the influx of visitors. It is hoped that 
all will be in order before the international jury commences its labors, and 
that we shall not see at this Exhibition examinations made of objects before 
they are fairly unpacked and out of the cases, as at the Paris Exposition of 
1867. 

CITY IMPROVEMENTS. 

In anticipation of the great influx of visitors during the Exhibition, the 
city of Vienna has made many extensive and costly improvements, which 
will be of permanent value to the community, and may be regarded as one 
of the great benefits flowing from or induced by the Exhibition enterprise. 
The new and broad avenue's, which take the place of the old fortifications 
and moat encircling the city, are lined with costly fire-proof buildings, 
apparently of stone, but built chiefly of brick and stucco. Open parks and 
gardens are left at intervals. 

Private capital has been largely invested in new hotels and apartment 
houses, so that there will not be any lack of accommodations for strangers. 

More than ten new hotels of great size are nearly completed. In 
addition to these greatly increased hotel accommodations, the residents of 
the city very generally intend to go into the country, and to rent their 



REPORT OF W. P. BLAKE. 



19 



apartments at a good price to strangers for the entire season. Living is not 
so cheap here as in Paris or in other large German cities. 

The weather here is favorable for the Exhibition work ; there are no 
severe frosts but the nights are cold and winter clothing is still required. 

ACCESS TO THE EXPOSITION. 

Horse railways along the new streets, and lines of omnibuses facilitate 
access to the Prater and Exhibition, but visitors to the Exhibition have to 
pay a second fare, or double what is charged for the regular route, besides, 
losing time by stopping at the station en route just outside the Prater. The 
present indications are that the horse railway service will be inadequate and 
unsatisfactory, and that most of the visitors will be obliged to hire carts or 
carriages. The distance from the principal hotels is from one and a 
half to two miles. Even now, at certain hours of the day, it is impossible 
to obtain seats in the horse cars. Steam service, like the girdle railway of 
Paris, is needed, with a station at the very entrance of the building. The 
revenues of an exhibition must suffer greatly where access is difficult and 
costly, for few persons can endure the fatigue of long visits, and the only 
way to study exhibitions, with comfort, is to go often ; but, if this requires 
great effort, and perhaps an expense equal to the entrance fee, a second or 
third visit usually suffices. The public are also threatened now with a strike 
of the hack drivers, who object to the tariff of fares established by law, and 
who propose to avail themselves of the opportunity to refuse to take people 
to the Exposition, except at their own prices. All this shows the importance 
of having independent steam railway service to the Exhibition. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. 

Among the new programmes which I transmit for your information, 
you will find No. 62, upon an International Flax-trade Congress; No. 63, 
upon the Custom House and Excise regulations ; No. 64, on Reduction of 
Fares, etc. ; No. 65, upon the Tasting Hall; No. 66, Patent Law; No. 68, 
Special Regulations for the Agricultural Machinery Hall; No. 69, on Prize 
Competitions; Nos. 71 and 72, rules concerning Reception of Foreign 
Goods ; No. 73, the Special Programme upon Horse Races, etc. 

The plans of the building and of the grounds, etc., showing the construc- 
tion, etc., having been collected by Mr. Pettit, and forwarded, in accordance 
with the wishes of the Committee, I do not send, but refer to them for a 
better understanding of the observations I have made upon the building and' 
the supplemental structures, as also upon the form of the building in regard 
to the placing of the objects. 

It is my purpose to now direct my attention to the details of the 
installation ; the construction of the cases ; the arrangement of passage ways, 
etc., until the formal opening takes place, and the Exhibition as a whole 
becomes fully organized. 

Among the enclosures (by book post,) will be found a few copies of a 
cheap general map of the Exhibition and grounds; a list of the foreign 
Commissioners ; also, a list of the members of foreign Commissions present 
in Vienna on the 9th day of April, 1873. 

Respectfully submitted, 
(signed) W. P. BLAKE. 

Mr. Blake in a report of May 2d, on the opening of the Vienna Ex- 
position, mentions the fact that the Emperor of Austria, on reaching the 
western end of the building was anxious to see something of the American 
Department ; but was courteously informed by the Chief Commissioner that 



2 o VIENNA UNIVERSAL EXHIBITION. 

as America was one of the most distant countries, one of the ships had not 
arrived, and the United States Commission did not wish to present any- 
thing to him that was not complete. 

Mr. Blake's report continues: "Participation in International Exhibi- 
tions is acknowledged to be a national duty by all governments of highly 
civilized nations. As civilization is diffused and unified under the influence 
of physical science, international obligations are increased in number and 
variety; and one of the foremost is this duty of co-operating in exhibitions. 
Their potency in advancing civilization is universally acknowledged. They 
are the national outcropping of intelligent industry and of science, and 
they give direction to the advance of nations in all that relates to their 
prosperity and power. To be laggard then, in sympathetic co-operation is 
a manifestation of unpardonable ignorance, or a disregard of a national 
duty and privilege. Feeling thus and in common with many of my coun- 
trymen, I turned aside with mortification from the empty courts of the 
United States section." 

Vienna, Austria, May 7th, 1873. 

ACCESS TO THE EXPOSITION. 

Sir : — I have already directed your attention to the manifestly inadequate 
provision for rapid and cheap access to the Exposition, and to the effect 
which must result to the receipts. (See ante page 19.) This great fault was 
made manifest upon the opening day to thousands of persons, and I may 
say has since been experienced by every visitor. 

Upon the day of the opening, the Imperial regulations required visitors 
to present themselves at the doors between the hours of 9 and 11 in the 
morning. As there was really no other way for persons in full dress to go 
than by carriage, nearly all the public and private carriages in Vienna were 
engaged, and it was exceedingly difficult to find one even at ten times the 
usual price. Between 9 and 10 o'clock the vehicles began to accumulate 
upon the avenues leading to the Exhibition, and at 10 o'clock the line of 
carriages extended from the Exhibition gates to and beyond the Grand 
Hotel, about a mile and a half distant. So also long lines extended up all 
of the principal avenues converging towards the Prater. The cars upon the 
horse-railway added to the confusion and jam. Progress was well nigh im- 
possible. Two thirds of the invited guests, and the holders of season tick- 
ets, and tickets purchased at a high price for the purpose of seeing the cere- 
mony, were hopelessly excluded from the building before the ceremony. 
Many did not arrive until hours after it was over. The chief United States 
Commissioners, with their families, who started at 10 o'clock, did not reach 
there until after the ceremony. 

The police preserved excellent order by keeping the carriages in line, 
while they left an open, free drive for the court carrriages and those 
holding well-known Austrian officials and the diplomatic corps. To Amer- 
icans it was not particularly agreeable to see these official carriages driving 
rapidly by in preference to all others, whether invited or not. Most of the 
carriages were from two to three hours on the way. 

The arrangements for the reception of the carriages at the Exhibition 
were most faulty. The guests were set down at the outer gates on the 
south, or principal side, and had to walk the length of a square or two be- 
fore they could reach the building. Then on presenting themselves, accord- 
ing to the indications printed upon the first-class complimentary tickets, at 
the south main entrance, they were turned aside to one of the side entrances, 
and were forced to traverse one of the enclosed corner gardens around the 



REPORT OF IV. P. BLAKE. 21 

Rotunda before they could reach the interior. The main entrance was 
reserved for Imperial and Royal persons. 

The long walk from the gates to the building, and the traverse of the 
open court were rendered more than disagreeable by the fact that it was a 
stormy day, the rain at times falling in torrents and saturating the newly- 
made gravel paths. For gentlemen this was sufficiently uncomfortable, but 
for ladies who, in accordance with the regulations had put on gala attire, it 
was cruel. At the west door — at the extreme end of the building where 
the yellow and green tickets were received — carriages were allowed to 
deliver persons at the entrance, but this required a long walk through the 
building to the Rotunda. 

I give these details in order that we may not neglect, from inadvertance, 
our duty in 1876. We must, in inviting a great concourse of people, be 
prepared to deal with them en masse. Their health and comfort must be re- 
garded as well as their other rights. Purchasers of tickets to view a ceremony, 
especially strangers from abroad, have a right to expect the place to be accessi- 
ble. A great but an inaccessible exhibition is an absurdity. Ordinary means 
of conveyance fail at the time when most required. To expect that the 
ordinary means of movement of persons in our great cities will, by a little 
improvement or extension suffice for the needs of great exhibitions, is a 
grave error. We all know that the street railway service, the omnibuses and 
cabs, of New York and Philadelphia, are already overburdened and insuffi- 
cient, and that the evil is increasing. The people must have something 
better irrespective of the Exhibition. For Philadelphia, the Centennial 
Celebration gives a grand opportunity to secure rapid and cheap access 
to its Park. Such access is a public want to-day, and each succeeding year 
will make it more and more evident. 

In some respects the conditions of transportation in Vienna, are like 
those of Philadelphia. The city is divided by the Donau Canal, and most 
of the travel to the Prater crosses two bridges, over one of which the 
horse-railway extends. These bridges of course concentrate the travel on 
certain lines. Any great increase of the travel causes a delay, if not a 
blockade. Even now, here, the omnibuses are frequently delayed at the 
bridges. 

The loss of time in visiting the Exhibition at the Prater is serious. 
There are but four available ways of getting there : 1, by carriage or cab; 
2, by omnibus; 3, by horse cars; 4, on foot. 

By the first, from the Grand Hotel, a central point on the line, three 
quarters of an hour, at the least, are required, provided there is no jam or 
accident. The fare is 20 kreutzers (about 10 cents). The cars are generally 
full and the platform crowded, as with our own at home, and they are hardly 
accessible to ladies. At the end of the route the passengers find themselves 
nearly a square distant from the west end of the Machinery Hall and the 
Industrial Palace, and they have to walk over loose gravel to reach the 
entrance. 

By the omnibus, the fare, time and other conditions, are nearly the 
same. A carriage is the most rapid and comfortable conveyance, and costs 
from one and a half to two florins, about seventy-five cents for one or for 
two persons. 

Of the total number of visitors to the Exhibition, probably eighty per 
cent, take the cost of getting there into consideration, and govern the num- 
ber of visits accordingly. It is tolerably certain, that for those who walk a 
distance of one or two miles, the fatigue of a visit is so great that they will 
not repeat it. 

The more this subject is examined, the more clearly it will appear that 
a wise policy requires the access to an exhibition to be not only cheap but 



22 VIENNA UNIVERSAL EXHIBITION 

rapid and comfortable. It should be more — it should be inviting, and, if 
possible, the cost should be covered in the cost of entrance. In other 
words, the would-be visitor should be able to buy his transportation and 
entrance ticket together, and for a price which, to him, is satisfactory for 
the entrance alone. This plan works well in London for the Crystal Palace, 
Sydenham. That marvellous structure with its beautiful gardens and other 
attractions, is in direct communication with almost every part of London 
and its suburbs for miles around ; and tickets to go and return may be had 
for from one shilling and sixpence to two and sixpence, according to the 
class of carriage taken. More than this, visitors are now set down inside 
the building. The trains are frequent, and the ride is alone worth the 
whole cost. 

Another great advantage of steam railway communication, is the possi- 
bility of accommodating societies, schools and parties of excursionists. 
Special trains can be run upon such occasions, setting down from 50 to 200 
or 500 persons as a unit. 

I feel that I cannot sufficiently urge the importance of the subject of 
rapid and cheap transportation to and within our coming Exhibition. I 
hope that it will be thoroughly considered, and that effective action will be 
taken in time. I am sure that the receipts at this Vienna Exhibition will 
be seriously diminished by the difficulty of getting to it, and I now roughly 
estimate the loss at not less than twenty-five per cent.; or in other words, 
the receipts would, I believe, be twenty-five per cent, greater, if the condi- 
tions of access had been as they should be. Most of the money spent in 
visiting the Exhibition goes to the cab drivers or owners. 

I forward a copy of the official catalogue, also a copy of the catalogue 
of the British section, by book post. 

I enclose from the latter 

1. Map of the City of Vienna. 

2. Ground Plan, showing the space occupied by different countries. 

3. Plan of Fine Art Museum and Collections, showing space given. 

4. Section of the Rotunda. 

5. Comparative Section of the Rotunda, with principal domes, etc., 
And will add explanations, etc., in my next. 

Respectfully Your Obedient Servant, 

W. P. BLAKE. 

In his report of May 14, 1873, Mr. Blake wrote as follows : 

ii BEAUTY OF THE EXHIBITION. 

Though this Exhibition is characterized by want of system, it is on the 
other hand characterized by the artistic effects in the grouping of objects. 
It is very pleasing to the eye. Exhibitors seem to vie with each other in the 
general effect to be produced by their exhibits, as well as in the merits of 
the objects themselves. The taste and skill of exhibitors in this matter of 
grouping and placing their articles, have evidently been developing and im- 
proving since 1867. So far as I can judge at present, I do not see that our 
highly systematic classification will prevent our having equally artistic effects. 
All specialists whom I have met here, agree that this is a very difficult exhi- 
bition to study. You are bewildered by the diversity of beautiful objects 
having no obvious connection in orign or use. It requires time, hard work 
and patience to find all the exhibits pertaining to any group." 

He then calls attention to the opportunity afforded of securing in ad- 
vance some of the most interesting objects for our Exhibition in 1876, or 
for the permanent museum of art applied to industry, and states that already 
the Art Museums of Europe have their agents on the ground. 



REPORT OF IV. P. BLAKE. 2 3 

Vienna, Austria, May 20, 1873. 

For most of the time since my last letter the weather has been cold and 
wet, and unfavorable to the success of the Exposition. The daily receipts 
were seriously affected ; the number of paying visitors diminishing on one 
day to about iooo only. On Sunday last, the 18th of May, the weather 
was exceptionally pleasant, and it being also the cheap, or half florin day, 
the Exposition was crowded. The total number of visitors was 50,521, of 
whom 39,142 paid 50 kreutzers each, and the others were either exhibitors 
or the holders of weekly tickets. This is the best illustration that can be 
given of the influence of the weather and the price upon the attendance. 

For the purpose of ascertaining the capacity of the Exhibition building 
and of the various passage ways and entrances when occupied by the 
greatest number of visitors, I went there both in the morning and in the 
afternoon and made careful observations in regard to these points. 

I found, as might be expected, of the total number of visitors, a very 
large portion in the grounds and gardens outside of the Industrial Palace. 
The restaurants and beer halls were crowded, and thousands were walking 
about enjoying the sight of the many novel objects and constructions on all 
sides. 

The Palace was crowded ; in many places progress was obstructed, and 
in such places it was inconvenient if not impossible for any one to stop to 
examine any object carefully. This was particularly the case around the 
groups of statuary which always arrest the attention of the greatest number, 
and hence should always have a wide open space around them. 

The main hall, or longitudinal building, and the rotunda were the most 
crowded, the people concentrating there and not distributing themselves 
equally over the whole space, including the transepts and covered courts. 
The tendency is to keep with the crowd, and the crowd always gravitates to 
the main halls and passage ways. This is true generally. I have noted it 
constantly since the opening, upon all occasions. This generalization should 
be kept in mind in designing our building. People gravitate to exhibitions, 
not only to see the objects displayed, but to see each other — to see the crowd 
and to be in it. This being the case, broad avenues or promenades should 
constitute a feature of exhibition buildings. 

The unusually crowded state of the Jbuilding developed a defect which 
before had not been very prominently shown. The dust was very great ; 
the whole atmosphere was filled with it, and it settled constantly over all the 
objects, and even penetrated the cases, except those of the very best and 
almost air-tight construction. The dust was impalpable, but heavy, and 
probably proceeded from the lime and plaster ground into the floor-boards 
during the progress of the construction. It is the custom to keep the floor- 
ing constantly damp by sprinkling, but this can be done only when the floor 
is not crowded. 

The building was also rather warm, and the ventilation was not perfect, 
but this perhaps was susceptible of being remedied, and may be when the 
weather becomes settled. 

Without regard to the comfort and convenience of visitors, broad ave- 
nues and long vistas are desirable for their aesthetic effects. They render 
an exhibition much more attractive and beautiful. No one can ever forget 
the charm of the long vista of the Crystal Palace at Sydenham. It is alone 
worth a visit to the Exhibition. Here in Vienna there is no such vista: no 
long, unbroken view; no point from which a general view can be had. 
When the building was vacant the views were good and the decoration was 
effective, but now all general views are destroyed by the show cases, most 



24 



VIENNA UNIVERSAL EXHIBITION 



of them of unusual height and size, which fill the centre of the hall, leav- 
ing a passage-way upon each side. The rotunda upon the day of the 
opening, when free of show cases, was grand in its appearance, and showed 
itself to be well suited to such displays and to musical performances. The 
acoustic effects were good, but now that great distinguishing feature of this 
Exhibition is crowded by show cases of all styles, forms, and sizes, and the 
grand effect is lost. It would have been a great attraction as a concert hall 
where musical performances should have followed in rapid succession. This, 
as I have before mentioned, was the intention at least to have concerts for 
an hour or two in the afternoon, but the work of installation has prevented. 
You are aware that in the Paris Exhibition there were great complaints 
of damage to goods caused by the leaking of the skylights. In this build- 
ing all such difficulties are sought to be avoided by making an unbroken 
roof and lighting by side windows. The rainy weather that we have had 
has shown that, notwithstanding all the care, there are many leaks, and 
much damage has resulted from them. The dome leaked in many places, 
as shown by the stains on the canvas lining. In the covered courts, where 
a part of the lighting is by glazed sashes in the side roofs, the leakage was 
very great, and water came down in streams. These difficulties show the 
importance of having the building for an exhibition completed long before 
the installation of the goods commences. In fact, experience speaks loudly 
in favor of having an exhibition building completed one season in advance 
of the opening. In our case, in Philadelphia in 1876, the buildings should 
be finished at the least before frost in 1875. At neither of the great inter- 
national exhibitions yet held has sufficient time been allowed for installation. 

MACHINERY HALL. 

The machinery hall, though nominally open, is almost impassable, and 
will not be ready for visitors before June 1st. I am glad to say that thanks 
to the energy and experience of Mr. Pickering, the United States portion is 
as far advanced as many others, and that the machinery will probably be 
put in motion by the first day of June. Our country is also creditably rep- 
resented by many machines of great value, and first class in design and 
workmanship. Indeed it seems probable that, for the rigid exactness and 
efficiency of our machines, we shall not be excelled. Messrs. Sellers & Co. 
have sent some important machines which will fully sustain the prestige of 
the firm acquired at the Paris Exhibition in 1867. 

AGRICULTURAL HALL. 

The agricultural machines and implements are arranged in buildings by 
themselves, betwean the Industrial Palace and the Machinery Hall. This 
you will see by reference to the plans which have been sent forward. 

Our contributions are already partly in place, and the remainder have 
just arrived by the "guard," and will be installed in a few days. The dis- 
play will be creditable, and the space is ample. A separate building was 
erected for the United States just in the rear of the part of the main hall 
assigned to Great Britain. The display in the main hall is unusually large 
and complete, indeed it is probably the finest display in quantity and value 
of agricultural machines ever made. It includes, however, many portable 
engines, road engines, and some fixed engines, either of which may or may 
not be used for agricultural purposes. 

Although a very attractive and valuable display, there are but compara- 
tively few visitors, and the same may be said of the machinery hall. An 
explanation of this is found in the fact that these buildings are disconnected 
and apart from the main portion of the Exhibition — the Industrial Palace. 



REPORT OF W. P. BLAKE. 2 5 

The Industrial Palace, with its treasures, is the chief attraction, and those 
who reach it find enough there to exhaust their time and strength. I seri- 
ously question the expediency of breaking up an exhibition in this way. 
Compactness and concentration are essential features. A series of detached 
buildings will not give satisfactory results. All the objects to be shown 
should be brought into as close contiguity as possible, without interference, 
and so as to show their mutual inter-dependence and relations. The result 
would not only be much more instructive and entertaining to the public, but 
would be much more satisfactory to exhibitors than where separate exhibi- 
tions are made. 

An exception may be made for the Fine Arts, or much may be said in 
favor of a separate building for their display. Painting and Sculpture re- 
quire peculiar conditions of light and space differing from most other 
objects. 

The Art building here is a separate one, and was formally opened on 
the 16th. It seems to be well arranged and well adapted to its purposes in 
every respect. The plans and elevations have already been forwarded to you. 

DISPLAY OF FLOWERS. 

The first of the series of exhibitions of flowers has just closed. It con- 
sisted chiefly of azalias and rhododendrons growing in pots. They were 
tastefully grouped in masses upon the ground within a long shed-like tent, 
and were remarkable chiefly for the dense masses of blossoms in dome- 
shaped heads, formed by the close trimming of the plants. I forward the 
complete official calalogue of the plants by book-post. 

There is a notable absence here of large and attractive conservato- 
ries and greenhouses, such as formed a prominent feature of the exhibition 
of 1867. 

The buildings, of all descriptions and styles of architecture, which are 
erected or erecting in tfee exhibition grounds, number not less than 148. I 
enclose a list of them. 

Very Respectfully, Your Obedient Servant, 

W. P. BLAKE. 

Vienna, Austria, May 30, 1873. 

In my first despatch I referred in general terms to the active sympathy 
and support accorded by the Imperial Government, here, to the Exhibition 
enterprise. Without this support the idea could not have been realized, as 
it has been, and even if carried out by capitalists, it would have failed to 
secure ,such general attention, and would not have attained success. The 
Imperial encouragement has more than a local value ; it stimulates and en- 
lists the co-operation of every Court of Europe, arid this co-operation in 
each case, acts powerfully upon each nation, and upon every trade and in- 
dustry. The influence of Imperial and Royal patronage upon trade and the 
arts, is great and all-pervading, and it is nowhere more strikingly shown 
than at the great European International Exhibitions. An American citizen 
is not prepared to appreciate, at first, the value of this element, and to 
recognize its importance to the success of our coming international reunion. 
We need the co-operation and good will of all the governments of Europe. 
Securing these, we shall have the co-operation of the foreign Commissions, 
and thus increase the ordinary inducements to manufacturers and tradesmen 
to take a part in our Exhibition. 



26 VIENNA UNIVERSAL EXHIBITION. 

The first step towards securing the desired recognition from foreign 
governments is, of course, the Presidential Proclamation, duly transmitted 
to those governments through our Ministers abroad. I have been hoping to 
see this Proclamation here. Now is the most opportune time for its appear- 
ance. Upon its reception the official announcement would be made by each 
government to its commission here. Each commission would inform the 
exhibitors ; the very persons most likely to contribute to our Exhibition. 
Besides, most of the governments, especially those of the East, are large 
exhibitors or participators in the Exhibition, and would at this time be more 
likely, than at any other, to promise a like participation with us in 1876. 

Something can be accomplished now by seeing individual exhibitors, 
but no suggestion or negociation has half the value or influence that it would 
have, if our enterprise were endorsed by each of the governments. I regard 
it as vitally important to us to secure an official promulgation of our inten- 
tions for 1876, before the close of the Vienna Exhibition. 

I do not lose sight of the difficulty under which we labor in the United 
States for want of the active sympathy and co-operation of our public ser- 
vants. Their apathy is in strong contrast with the active interest and fos- 
tering care shown by this government, and equally manifested by other 
European governments on similar occasions. The Austro-Hungarian Em- 
peror appears to be fully alive to the value of the Exhibition in its indus- 
trial, political and social aspects. It is promoted and sustained for its 
stimulating influences upon the manufactures and trade of the country, for 
the increase it will bring to the revenue, for the education of the artizans, 
and the better feeling to be established between Austria and the neighbor- 
ing nations. There is, no doubt, also a commendable degree of national 
pride, a desire to show to the world the rapid progress that Austria has made 
and is making in arts and manufactures. I am sure, also, that the Emperor 
and his advisers do not lose sight of the amelioration of the condition of 
the people generally, and of the great good humanity and civilization are 
to derive from such a grand international concourse. 

Such results certainly justify great sacrifices of labor and money, but it 
has yet to be shown that great sacrifices are required. No great exhibition 
when properly sustained by the government, has entailed even disappoint- 
ment. None, or all together, have cost more to the public treasury than a 
fraction of the expense of a war, not to mention the sacrifices of lives and 
the destruction of industry and morals which attend the latter. This sub- 
ject is not exhausted, but I have said enough to show why this government 
regards it as wise political economy to promote the work of the Exhibition 
in every way possible. 

AID TO THE EXHIBITION ENTERPRISE. 

The government granted the ground for the buildings and permitted 
the cutting away of trees, and the opening of roads, and the construction 
of railway tracks. Money for the construction was freely advanced from 
the treasury. The city improved the streets and avenues, and private capi- 
tal has been largely expended in the construction of new hotels. 

A regiment of government engineeers (700 men) from the corps of Sap- 
pers and Miners, under the command of a Colonel, was early detailed for 
the work of the preparation of the ground ; and they have been working 
for more than a year without cost to the Commission beyond a trifling sum 
of a few kreutzers a day added to their regular pay. This corps is now 
employed on the grounds as a guard, and as a fire brigade. 

The policing is supplied by the city without charge to the Exhibition. 



REPORT OF IV. P. BLAKE. 2 j 

PICKED MEN FROM THE DEPARTMENTS. 

The Director General in perfecting the organization of his office, was 
allowed to select or to obtain assistants from the various departments of 
the government. Persons specially qualified for the different offices were 
secured. Their pay was continued by the government, and their opportu- 
nities in the line of promotion were not impaired. A small increase of pay 
is given by the Commission. When the work is over, these persons are to 
return to their posts, without having lost any of the privileges of their posi- 
tions. As an example, I cite the case of the Secretary of the General Di- 
rector, who is a gentlemen from the foreign office, and a valued assistant of 
Count Andrassy. 

FRANKING AND PRINTING PRIVILEGES. 

The government grants the free use of the post and of the telegraph. 
The government printing office is also made tributary to the success of the 
Commission. The printing is done at cost merely. This is a very great 
advantage, and such a privilege would be of very great service to our own 
enterprise, and might be accorded through our State Department after the 
President's proclamation has been issued. 

NUMBER AND DESIGNATION OF OFFICES. 

I forward the most complete list of the various "bureaux" or offices 
that I have been able to. obtain. A complete list of the staff has not yet 
been prepared. In some of the offices there are only two or three persons, 
in others a large number. 

ORGANIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT OF THE 
VIENNA EXHIBITION, 1873. 

DIRECTOR GENERAL. 

His Excellency Baron Schwarz-Senborn ; Secretary to the Director 
General ; Secretary for Foreign languages ; Private Secretaries ; Clerks ; At- 
tendants; Messengers, etc. 

ARCHITECTURAL BUREAU. 

1st. Architect in Chief; 2d. Architect in Chief; 1st. Superintending 
Architect; 2d. Superintending Architect; Architects; Assistants; Draughts- 
men; Assistants, etc. 

ENGINEERING BUREAU. 

Chief Engineeer; Superintending Engineer; Assistant Engineer (Do- 
mestic) ; Assistant Engineer (Foreign) ; Associate Engineers and Experts. 

INSTALLATION BUREAU. 

(Bureau of Classification and Arrangement.) 
Chief Superintendent; Assistants; Architects; Draughtsmen. 

PUBLISHING BUREAU. 

(Printing and Publishing.) 

TRANSLATING BUREAU. 

For translation of programmes into four languages, translating let- 
ters, etc. 



28 VIENNA UNIVERSAL EXHIBITION. 

PRESS BUREAU. 
CATALOGUE BUREAU. 

A large force occupied on the preparation and correction. 

REPORT BUREAU. 

(Prof. Richter.) 
I believe chiefly for record of progress; reports of progress, etc. 

TICKET BUREAU. 

For the preparation, registry and issuance o»f tickets. Several offices 
and many persons are required on this work alone. The variety of tickets 
is great — Registry, etc. ; tickets changed monthly; complimentary lists, etc. 

FINANCE BUREAU. 

In this all the accounts of expenditures and receipts are kept. (42 Pra- 
ter Strasse.) Also are audited by government auditors, detailed for the 
purpose. 

LAW BUREAU. 

Two chief Law Secretaries, or Counsellors, with their associates and 
assistants, and clerical force. 

JURY BUREAU. 

Office for the correspondence and work pertaining to the organization 
and labors of the International Jury. 

SPECIAL OR LOCAL COMMITTEE BUREAU. 

For the business connected with local or home representation. It ap- 
pears to be to some extent a Committee of Admission for home or local 
products, or tradesmen. Perhaps also as the medium of communication 
with the local exhibitors. 

INSPECTION BUREAU. 

A Chief and several Assistants are employed, and a force of 50 or 60 
men under their command. 

POLICE BUREAU. 

A central direction and office, and several other offices and places of 
rendezvous. 

MILITARY BUREAU. 

A central and many subordinate offices for the Commandant and his 
officers, also places for sentinels, etc. 

A regiment of Sappers and Miners under the command of the Colonel 
and the usual complement of officers. 

SANITARY BUREAU. 

For succor and relief to wounded, maimed or injured by accident, or 
for sudden sickness. 

ARCHIVES AND CORRESPONDENCE. 

A Chief Clerk, or Secretary, with assistants, in whose office all the cor- 
respondence is recorded and filed. 

Connected with this office are copying rooms, mailing rooms, ("Ex- 
pedition Bureau"), etc. 



REPORT OF W. P. BLAKE. 29 

Most, if not all of the offices or bureaus here enumerated, are located 
at the building in Prater Strasse, No. 48, about one mile from the nearest 
entrance to the Exhibition grounds. The suites of rooms in that building 
are extensive, and are probably equivalent in number and area to two such 
buildings as we occupy in Walnut Street. 

There are also many offices occupied at the Exhibition. On the right 
hand of the main or southern entrance, there is a long one-story building 
devoted exclusively to the offices of the General Direction. The Director 
has a complete suite with the entrance from the inner court or garden. 
They consist of waiting and audience rooms, simply but elegantly furnished 
with tables for maps and for writing with telegraphic keys for signals to other 
parts of the building. One of the offices in this building is devoted to 
telegraphing, and others are occupied by draughtsmen and map-makers. 

On the opposite side of the entrance, a similar range of offices is devo- 
ted to postal purposes, to telegraphs for the public, to writing and reading 
rooms, and other purposes. 

Along the fagade of the Palace of Industry, at the west and east ends, 
and in the centre, there is another series of offices, about thirty in number, 
besides others on the second floor. Some of these are occupied by the 
foreign commissions, but nearly all upon the ground floor are used for the 
executive and controlling departments. Among others I note the following : 

Engineer's office — Drainage; General direction of West Installation; 
Installation Bureau — Austria ; Rotunda Installation ; Bureau Steiger ; Ober 
Commissar ; Military Director ; Military Commandent ; Police Inspection ; 
Sanitary Bureau; Reporters' Rooms; Installation Group XXIV; Installa- 
tion Groups I and III. 

This will suffice, for the present, to show what has grown into existence 
from the actual necessities of the work as it progressed. There does not 
seem to have been a carefully considered plan and method of organization 
from the very first, as for such a vast undertaking there certainly should be. 
The comprehensive and cultured mind of Baron Schwarz has, to a great 
degree, rendered such an organization in this case unnecessary. Having a 
clear and thorough conception of the great work to be accomplished, he has 
from the first, directed nearly every part and detail of it. He has been the 
great fountain of information to all engaged with him ; has kept informed 
of the progress and necessities of each department, and has given his 
instructions and commands as the exigencies of the work required them. 
There is scarcely a plan or drawing of any detail which has not passed under 
his eye and received his approval, criticisms or rejection. He has not 
permitted his associates to exercise much independent judgment. This is 
perhaps well enough in the inception of such an undertaking, especially when 
it has to be planned and marked out for accomplishment ; but, as the work 
of execution progresses and culminates in every department, it becomes 
impossible for any one mind to follow the details, and discretionary power 
must be delegated. 

The Baron's course in this regard is freely criticised, and it is thought 
by many of his friends that it would have been better if he had given more 
power to his associates and allowed them more independence. 

He is a remarkable man, and has shown the most wonderful power of 
endurance. He has retained his health and pleasant genial mood throughout, 
and seems capable of keeping on indefinitely his Herculean labors. He is 
at the office from seven in the morning until late at night, often till eleven 
o'clock or midnight, and has received from twenty-five to thirty thousand 
persons, besides which constant references are made to him by his assistants. 
The demands upon his time by the Commission have not been slight, and it 



3° 



VIENNA UNIVERSAL EXHIBITION 



is said that he has taken part in some fifteen hundred conferences with the 
Commission or other officials. Upwards of three thousand plans have passed 
under his eyes, and over three hundred thousand letters have been read. 

A large amount of business is transacted by telegraph. There are some 
fifteen or sixteen stations on the Exhibition grounds. The number of words 
sent for several weeks past has been as follows : 

April 28 to May 4, ...... 2,224 words. 

May 4 to May 18, 5>°97 " 

May 19 to May 25, 2,457 " 



Total, in three weeks, 9,778 words. 
Very respectfully, Your Obedient Servant, 

W. P. BLAKE. 

I find that I cannot complete this subject in time for this mail, and I 
propose to continue it in my next. 

The weather for the past three days has been wet and cold, and very 
unfavorable to the Exposition, 



REPORT OF W. P. BLAKE. 



PRIZE MEDALS TO BE AWARDED AT THE VIENNA 
UNIVERSAL EXHIBITION. 



According to the General Programme of the Exhibition, there will be 
five different kinds of Medals awarded as Prizes by the International Jury, 
namely — 

i. Medal for Fine Arts ; 

2. Medal for Good Taste ; 

3. Medal for Progress ; 

4. Medal for Co-operators ; 

5. Medal for Merit. 

The Medals will all be of the same size, each seven centimeters in 
diameter. They will all be in bronze, and will bear on the obverse the 
portrait of His Majesty the Emperor, with the inscription, in German : 

"Franz Joseph I., Kaiser von Oesterreich, Koenig von Boehmen, 
etc., Apost. Koenig von Ungarn." 

(Francis Joseph I., Emperor of Austria, King of Bohemia, &c., Apostolic King of Hungary.) 

The reverse side of all five Medals will be adorned with artistic emblems, 
the design of which has been left to the respective artists. 

These emblems on the reverse side of the Medals will bear the following 
inscriptions : 

1. On the Medal for Fine Arts — " Weltausstellung, 1873, Wein. Fur 
Kunst." {Universal Exhibition, 1873, Vienna- For Fine Art.) 

2. On the Medal for Good Taste — "Weltausstellung, 1873, Wein. 
Fur guten Geschmach. {Universal Exhibition, 1873, Vienna. For Good 
Taste.) \ 

3. On the Medal for Progress — "Weltausstellung, 1873, Wein. Dem 
Fortschritte." {Universal Exhibition, 1873, Vienna. For Progress.) 

4. On the Medal for Co-operators — "Weltausstellung, 1873, Wien. 
Dem Mitarbeiter." {Universal Exhibition, 1873, Vienna. To the Co- 
operator. ) 

5. On the Medal for Merit — "Weltausstellung, 1873, Wien. Dem 
Verd ienste . " ( Universal Exhibition, 1873, Vienna. For Merit. ) 

The Medal for Fine Arts is reserved for distinguished art productions 
exhibited in Group XXV. It represents on the reverse side the Goddess of 
the capital of Vienna, with the mason's crown, by her side the genius, on 
whose lap rests a cushion with wreaths, and surrounded by the representa- 
tives of sculpture, architecture, and painting, whom she crowns with laurel 
wreaths. 

The Medal for Good Taste is designed for Exhibitors of Articles of 
Industry, the form and color of which constitute the characteristic features 
for adjudication. It shows on the reverse side three Greek female figures 



32 VIENNA UNIVERSAL EXHIBITION 

(Muses and Graces,) surrounded by elegant objects of Art and Artistic 
Industry, which they are admiring. 

The Medal for Process is intended for Exhibitors in Groups I. to 
XXIII., and in Group XXVI., who, compared with the productions exhibited 
at previous exhibitions, can prove noticeable progress made since then in 
new inventions, in the introduction of new materials, and contrivances, 
etc. It represents a serious figure followed by immortality passing the God- 
dess of the country, who sends a genius with a laurel wreath to meet her. 

The Medal for Co-operators is designated for such persons who, as 
managers of manufactories, as foremen, designers of patterns, modellers, or 
as assistants in a general way, are nominated on the part of the Exhibitors, 
on account of the leading part they have taken in the features of excellence 
of the productions, or in the increase of their sale. It shows on the reverse 
side a mechanic examining the parts of a machine, which his aspiring assis- 
tant has just finished, and for the completion of which, as an acknowledg- 
ment, the genius of labor presents him with a laurel wreath. 

The Medal of Merit will be awarded to Exhibitors who can lay claim 
to excellence and perfection in material and workmanship, large extent of 
production, the opening of new markets, the employment of improved tools 
and machinery, and cheapness of produce. It shows on its reverse side the 
reward for labor and domestic industry, 



REPORT. 



VIENNA, AUSTRIA, 

5 Weihburggasse, 

Office of the Special Agent of the United States Centennial Commission, 

April 14th, 1873. 

HON. D. J. MORRELL, 

Chairman Executive Committee 

United States Centennial Commission. 
Dear Sir: 

In compliance with your communication of the 25th of February last, 
appointing me Special Agent of the "United States Centennial Commis- 
sion" to visit "the Universal Exhibition to be held in Vienna, Austria," 
and instructing me to report to you by the 1st of May, 1873, from Vienna, 
such plans, papers and suggestions, as may in my judgment be necessary, 
I have the honor to present the accompanying report, together with plans, 
drawings, maps, papers, etc., etc. 

I am, with great respect, your Obedient Servant, 

HENRY PETTIT, 

Special Agent U. S. C. C. 
SITE OF THE VIENNA UNIVERSAL EXHIBITION. 

The buildings for the Vienna Universal Exhibition have been erected 
in the Imperial Park called the Prater, which is situated just outside the 
Leopoldstadt suburb, and within half an hour's walk from the Stephen's 
Platz, or centre of the city. Along one side of the Prater runs the new 
channel of the Danube River, and on the other side the Danube Canal, the 
latter of which separates it from the city. By reference to maps Nos. 2 and 
3, accompanying this report, it will be noticed that although the Prater lies 
close to the city, yet it is really outside of it, and therefore, so far as conve- 
nience of location is considered, it would be difficult to find anywhere a sit- 
uation better suited to the requirements of an Exhibition. Much of the 
scenery in it has been beautiful, and it has been one of the favorite resorts 
of the public for many years. Several photographs, showing views in the 
Prater before these present buildings were erected, accompany this report. 

At present, access to the Exhibition grounds has been provided for car- 
riages and pedestrians by several large avenues, the principal one of which 
is the "Haupt Allee," or Grand Avenue, a noble straight boulevard which 
enters the Prater as shown in Photograph No. 1, and runs nearly parallel 
with the great Industrial Palace through the entire park from end to end. 
This avenue has about the same relation to the Vienna Exposition buildings 
that "Elm Avenue" will have to our Centennial buildings. It is about 120 



34 



VIENNA UNIVERSAL EXHIBITION 



feet in width, and is arranged with a centre carriage drive of 40 feet wide, 
which is entirely too narrow, as it is not an uncommon thing already to see 
vehicles seriously incommode each other from lack of room. 

This carriage drive is flanked on the side away from the Exhibition 
buildings by a road for equestrians, and on the side next the buildings by a 
foot walk, about twenty feet wide. There are 4 rows of trees, planted about 
20 feet apart, in strips of sodded bank (9 feet wide), which separate the 
different parts of the boulevard. 

The carriage drive is laid with broken stone, which is daily rolled with 
heavy cast iron rollers, and the foot walks laid with gravel. Lamp posts are 
placed along the curb line at every 60 feet, and opposite to each other. 
Water plugs at intervals. 

No tramways for street cars have as yet been laid on this avenue. 

The whole site for the Exhibition proper has been fenced in by aboard 
fence some 12 feet high. For about 2 feet down from the top this fence is 
made of lattice work, and at the ground level each board is cut to a point, 
the rest is close, the boards being nailed to horizontal rails supported by 
wooden posts set into the ground. The finish is simple but ornamental, and 
the general effect very good. 

PREPARATION OF THE GROUND FOUNDATIONS AND DRAINAGE. 

The Prater in which the Exhibition is located lies close to the river 
Danube, and its soil is a deposit from that stream. 

It consists principally of loose sand and gravel, and water is reached by 
digging on an average ten feet below the level of the ground. 

The surface of the park was originally covered with trees of medium 
size. Some of the photographs show these trees still standing in the courts 
between the transepts of the Industrial Palace, at the time the photographs 
were taken. 

The surface of the Prater was also very irregular, being intersected in 
every direction by ditches and hollows, which were evidently at one time 
water-courses. 

Such circumstances determined the nature of the foundations used for 
a large part of the Exhibition buildings. 

In Austria the bricks are not so good as we are accustomed to see in 
Philadelphia ; in fact, a large proportion of them would be rejected from 
first-class work, but wood is comparatively cheap, and, therefore, as the 
nature of the soil in the Prater is such as to render shallow footings insecure, 
and as water is soon reached, it was decided that piles were the best for the 
foundations, and they were, therefore, used wherever they could be properly 
and safely introduced. 

An immense amount of grading was thus saved, as the proper levels for 
the floors and walls were obtained by simply sawing off the piles to the 
required height. Portions of the foundations, however, which were subjected 
to heavy weights, and especially those for the permanent buildings, were 
founded on the best concrete footings, made with pebbles from the river 
banks, and on the top of these were raised the foundation walls of the best 
brick work. 

The "nave," which is temporary, but a large construction, has a 
foundation on a footing of rough concrete, made of broken bricks. 

All the small transepts, together with the buildings that form the various 
fagades, and all the floors of the entire palace are carried on pile foundations. 

The Industrial Palace stands on a small terrace elevated about two feet 
above the general level of the park. This was accomplished by driving the 
piles until their heads stood at the required level, and the terrace was formed 



REPOR T OF HENR Y PE TTIT. 3 5 

artificially around the building by using gravel, which was brought by rail 
from the bed of the Danube. 

In some cases the piles are cut off level with the ground, and a footing 
for the walls is made of heavy beams resting on the ground, with their ends 
only supported by piles. Many of the covered walks are made in this way, 
by using these beams as curbs, and filling in with the bituminous rock pave- 
ment, which resembles asphalt, but as to its exact composition I have not 
yet had time to investigate. 

The piles used were on an average ten inches across the head, and when 
sunk for wall foundations were about 5 or 6 ft. apart, and from ten to four- 
teen feet in depth. 

Foundations for iron columns in the nave were of 6 piles in a group, 
and in the transepts of 4 piles. 

The flooring in the Industrial Palace consists of boards, six by one and 
three-quarter inches, laid transversely of the building, with half-inch spaces 
between, to allow the dust to pass through. These are laid on joists, which 
are carried by the beams resting on the pile-heads. 

There is no cellar under the buildings, but simply an empty space 
between the top of the piles and the natural level of the ground ; the walls 
of the building closing in the sides. 

Openings for ventilation occur at intervals. 

It will be noticed from the above that the amount of leveling off to be 
done was not much, considering the immense magnitude of the undertaking, 
and what was done cost the General Direction but a comparatively small 
amount, the Government having done the grading by soldier labor, and 
charged the Direction with the expense, viz : a few cents per day for each 
man. 

The following statement will explain how this occurred. 

The Austrian Government and the municipal authorities of Vienna have 
been engaged for some time in the immense work of diverting the Danube 
from its present course into a new bed, now nearly completed, which will 
bring the river half a mile nearer to Vienna, and open up to the capital, by 
this close connection with a great navigable stream, all the advantages which 
can be derived for commerce from so favorable a position. 

It is intended to, construct great docks, erect factories, warehouses and 
counting houses, along the banks of this new Danube, and so lay the foun- 
dation of an Emporium which shall attract all the traffic of the river. The 
new Danube stadt is to spring up close to the Prater, consequently near to 
the Exhibition buildings ; and the great rotunda is looked upon already as 
the future corn market and warehouse of the new city, and in the construc- 
tion of the machinery hall its ulterior destination for warehouses and 
granaries has not been lost sight of. 

This view of the case explains much of the apparent unnecessary 
expense which has been incurred by making the machinery hall walls so 
immensely thick, and so much of the Industrial Palace a permanent 
construction. 

Valuable maps, Nos. 5 and 6, accompanying this report, show the 
improvement of the Danube and the location of New Vienna. 

In regard to the system of drainage, it may be said, that owing to the 
fact that the land drains itself so easily, there is really no artificial system 
of land drainage proper, but a complete system of tile pipes carries off all 
the water from the roofs, boilers and water closets, and conducts it into the 
Danube canal. 

The drawings of this system of drainage I shall bring home with me. 



36 VIENNA UNIVERSAL EXHIBITION. 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION PLAN SURROUNDING GROUNDS. 

This Universal Exhibition at Vienna differs most radically from all 
previous demonstrations of the same character, both in regard to the plans 
of the various buildings and the general arrangement. It will be remem- 
bered that in the Paris, 1867, Exhibition, the two systems of grouping the 
articles to be exhibited, viz : the geographical and the systematic were 
combined. When preparing the plans for this exhibition, it was considered 
that the Paris arrangement was not entirely satisfactory, and that no one 
system could combine all possible advantages \ consequently it was deter- 
mined to sacrifice that portion of the Paris arrangement which necessitated 
the juxtaposition of all objects of the same class. In this Exhibition there- 
fore, the grouping geographically or by nations, has taken precedence over 
the other, and the systematic grouping is only recognized by providing 
separate buildings for specific purposes, as in the cases of the Machine Hall, 
Art Gallery and Agricultural Machine Buildings. 

The following are some of the principal reasons given by the General 
Direction of this Exhibition for erecting buildings upon the plan which has 
been carried out: 

1. It provides direct railway communications to the very doors of the 
different parts of the Exhibition buildings. 

2. It provides for the exhibition of machinery in a separate building 
from the rest of the articles exhibited. 

3. The Fine Art Department is also kept separate, so that objects of 
great value are less liable to be injured by fire or other causes, and therefore 
artists and collectors are more willing to exhibit their best works. 

4. The arrangement of the ground plan is considered by the General 
Direction to be such, that it is very easy for visitors to find their way from 
the department of one country to another. 

5. The design of the buildings is such that little or none of the 
lighting is done by means of glass in the roofs. 

This is considered an important matter, first, because it is extremely 
difficult to make large glass roofs perfectly water tight, as the experience of 
many previous exhibitions has shown ; and second, because in the scorching 
hot summers of this climate it would be intolerable to admit the rays of the 
sun directly into the building. 

Each of the above reasons is certainly very excellent in itself, and 
(possibly with the exception of the 4th) it seems to be generally acknowl- 
edged that the plan executed will entirely answer the objects for which it 
was designed. 

It will be noticed however that the plan was not developed with 
reference to the systematic grouping of objects of the same class, and 
consequently fails in affording an opportunity to examine articles of the 
same kind, from different countries, when placed in close proximity. 

The consequence is that if, for instance, I wish to compare the textile 
fabrics of the United States with those of China, I am obliged to walk the 
entire length of the Palace in order to see them both, and not only that, but 
I have to pass through every other variety of production in making the 
transit. 

The arrangement adopted does show however, and that most beautifully, 
the objects of each country collected together in single transepts, each like 
a separate exhibition in itself. 

Thus it is very easy for the casual visitor to observe the productions of 
each country without having his attention drawn away by too many 
surrounding objects ; and at the same time the most characteristic produc- 
tions of any one country are easily noticed on account of their predominence 
over the rest. 



REPOR T OF HENR Y PE TTIT. 3 y 

The exact arrangement of the Industrial Palace is shown in the large 
drawing, No. 203, accompanying this report, and it is known among 
engineers as the "gridiron " plan of the building. 

During the last two weeks I have spent much time, in and about this 
Industrial Palace, and, as during the first week, there were but few of the 
show cases or objects for exhibition standing in the avenues. I shall speak 
of the interior of the building first as seen when empty, and afterwards of 
the different effect with the objects in position. 

When seen empty, I noticed that the proportions of width and height 
to length were such that the nave or central gallery did not appear nearly 
so long as I had been led to expect it would, and that it was very easy to 
take in its whole length at a glance from one end without the decoration at 
the other end appearing so small as to lose in effect. I noticed also, that 
when walking in any of the transepts, the distance to the nave did not 
appear long, so that by stepping out into the nave I could always tell imme- 
diately in what part of the building I was. The lighting of the interior of 
both nave and transepts is admirably managed, and this is acknowledged 
universally to be one of the best features of the building. While the 
windows are above the wall space which is used by exhibitors, yet the width 
of both nave and transepts are not too great to prevent the light coming in 
on one side from properly illuminating the walls, under the windows on the 
opposite side. 

After all, however, the only architectural effect obtained is that from 
long avenues, respectively 83 feet 8 inches, and 51 feet 1 inch wide, each 
flanked on either side by tall slender columns placed 16 feet 2 inches apart, 
and supporting a cornice, from above which springs the wrought iron arches 
for the roof. 

These columns are beautifully proportioned in themselves. They have 
light wooden pedestals and mouldings, and plaster of Paris capitals and 
bases, the latter painted to resemble bronze, while the shaft of the columns, 
which is of timber and used to stiffen the iron lattice columns, is covered 
with tightly fitting crimson canvas, adorned with spiral and straight lines 
in gold. 

The cornice above the columns is also made of wood and painted a 
creamy grey color, picked out in gold. 

The roof trusses are painted olive green, and the roof sheeting is 
carefully whitewashed, the latter being much better done than we are accus- 
tomed to see it in the United States. The effect from the row of crimson 
columns on either side, is certainly very striking — in fact the redeeming 
feature of the entire decoration of the interior of the nave and transepts. 

When looking down the nave towards the rotunda, there is no fine 
effect produced in consequence of looking into the rotunda, because the 
large columns which support the rotunda are so placed that the passage-way 
from the nave into the rotunda or half gallery surrounding it, is even smaller 
than the nave itself. 

I was much disappointed in the effect that I hoped to see here, as the 
arrangement is equivalent to dividing the whole building into three large 
divisions, viz : a centre rotunda and two long naves, one on either side, 
each of which, as seen from the inside, forms a separate interior, which in 
no way assists the others in an architectural point of view. In fact, the 
rotunda, is so high and large that the nave entrances look like little more 
than the ordinary doorways leading out from it. 

So much for the effect when seen empty. During this last week many 
large show-cases of the most ornamental descriptions have been erected in 
both the naves and transepts, both along the side walls and directly down 



38 VIENNA UNIVERSAL EXHIBITION 

the centre. This placing of high show-cases directly down the centre of 
buildings already narrow, has been most adversely criticised by many parties 
here, as it is completely destroying whatever vista there was from the form 
of the buildings, and it is feared will much confuse visitors as to their exact 
position in the building, because they will not be able to see far in any one 
direction. Of course the favorite localities for the handsomest cases are 
right at the intersections of the transepts with the nave. Some of these 
show-cases are so large that they almost touch the roof, and are so wide as 
to completely close up the vista, both down the nave and transepts. 

The key to the whole exhibition is a simple one however, requiring but 
the most elementary knowledge of geography to enable a visitor to tell 
about where he is. 

The nave of the building runs as nearly as possible east and west, and 
the transepts north and south. The countries are then arranged according 
to their geographical positions on the surface of the earth. 

North and South America occupy the extreme western end of the 
building, England and Western Europe come next, and so on until we 
reach the extreme eastern transepts, which are appropriated to China and 
Japan. 

The final map by the General Direction, showing the actual amount 
and locality of the space to be occupied by the different countries, has not 
been published yet. 

It has been prepared, however, and I have the promise of copies for the 
Commission as soon as it is issued. 

It will be seen, from what I have already written, that the rotunda, 
which forms the central feature of the Industrial Palace, so far as its interior 
appearance is concerned, may be considered as a distinct part of the exhi- 
bition. In consequence of the great span of its roof, its magnificent 
circular corridor, and the excellent taste displayed in the decorations, it is 
already the great centre of attraction. 

This immense construction is the result of combining the genius of the 
best English engineers with the best architectural talent of Central Europe. 

It was not to be expected, however, that two such elements should work 
perfectly harmoniously together, and the consequence has been that the 
rotunda, as built, is not exactly according to the design which either one 
thinks would have been the best. From conversing with architects and 
engineers connected with the work, I have been led to suppose that the 
engineers would have preferred to have left off the half gallery or corridor 
formed by the nave dividing the two and passing around the base of the 
rotunda. 

The result would have been that the Rotunda would have appeared 
much lighter than it does at present, if seen from a near point of sight, but 
in return the handsome corridor which is so admirable for the interior 
effect, would have been lost. If the main columns supporting the Rotunda 
roof had been made somewhat taller, then probably the effect would have 
been better even than it is. Certainly it would have improved the exterior 
appearance. It seems to me now, that the Rotunda roof, when seen from 
the outside, does not do itself justice and produce as much of an architectu- 
ral effect as it would if it had been placed still higher above the adjoining 
roofs. 

The Austrian Engineers and Architects, in turn, insisted upon the Half 
Gallery, or Corridor, and the result has been one of the most strikingly 
beautiful architectural features of that kind, that is to be found anywhere in 
the world. 

It is much to be feared, however, that the interior of the Rotunda will 
not be sufficiently well lighted, although that is an extremely difficult point 



REPORT OF HENRY PETTIT. 39 

to decide so long as so much scaffolding remains about the columns of the 
great Lantern, thus partially closing up the only openings by which light 
enters the Rotunda. 

The finishing of the interior decoration will also most materially assist 
in making the general effect appear lighter than it does at present. 

Many architects here think that a serious mistake was made in not pro- 
viding more light for this building. It could easily have been done without 
introducing glass into the roof itself. 

Accompanying this report will be found a considerable number of 
drawings showing the handsome fagades, and details of construction of the 
Fine Art Gallery. 

Pavilion for Amateurs, the Jury Pavilion, and Emperor's Pavilion, all 
of which, although exceedingly monumental in design, are executed in plas- 
ter or stucco finish. 

I do not think any of these buildings sufficiently near completion for 
me to form a correct opinion as to what their final appearance and adapta- 
bility will be. 

Also with regard to the Machine Hall and Agricultural Machine build- 
ings, it would be useless to describe them until they are entirely finished and 
in use. The few drawings already in Philadelphia show the general forms 
of construction of the Machine Hall, and all further details I shall bring 
with me when I return. 

Before closing this portion of my report, I would most respectfully call 
attention to the location, on the ground, of the principal buildings forming 
this Exhibition, particularly with regard to the spaces left between them. 

When the buildings were first located, it was considered by the General 
Direction that ample space had been left on the intervening ground for all 
extra buildings that might be required, but experience has shown that it 
would have been far better to have allowed more. 

The demand for building sites on the Exhibition grounds has been con- 
tinually on the increase as the ist of May, 1873, nas approached, and con- 
sequently the authorities have been much at a loss to know where to provide 
sites for the numerous buildings that different nations and private parties 
are desirous of erecting. The piece of ground between the Industrial 
Palace and Machine Hall is now so densely built up, that it resembles a new 
Swiss settlement, with the houses arranged to face the main buildings. 

In order to obtain space, it has also been necessary to roof in all the open 
courts on the side of the Industrial Palace next the Machine Hall, and I 
notice that lately some of the front courts are being treated in the same 
manner. Where such is the case, the roof over the court is so arranged as 
not to prevent the light from passing freely through the side windows of the 
transepts. 

The second point to which I would respectfully call attention, may 
possibly be considered premature for consideration at this time, but the 
effect of the Exhibition upon public opinion at large is so much influenced 
by it, that its importance cannot be overrated. 

I refer to the decoration of the buildings. It makes no matter how useful 
and well adapted to its purpose a building may be, unless it appears well it 
will be passed by with a minimum amount of attention. 

I have noticed here besides Austrians and Bohemians, many Italians, 
Russians, Turks, English, and other nationalities, represented among the 
workmen, each busy in his own peculiar way. Much of the decoration 
of this Exhibition, therefore, has been done by skilled hands, who are 
acknowledged to be the best in the world in their several branches of indus- 
try. I trust that I am not putting the point too strongly by saying that unless 



4 o VIENNA UNIVERSAL EXHIBITION 

better taste is displayed, both as regards the exterior and interior decoration 
of our Centennial buildings than is commonly to be seen in our streets, we 
need not expect to produce other than a ridiculous impression upon for- 
eigners who will visit us in 1876. 

My impressions in regard to the adaptability of the Vienna (or "grid- 
iron") plan of buildings to our requirements in 1876, have not been very 
much modified since I have seen the design executed. 

It is exceedingly instructive to observe and study the immense amount 
of thought and labor which has been displayed here upon a plan which is 
in itself exceedingly difficult to treat effectively. Still, I sincerely hope that 
the United States Centennial Commission will succeed in erecting buildings 
that will combine both the geographical and systematical systems of group- 
ings, and still preserve the advantages to be found here. If so, it will differ 
very radically in arrangement from the buildings of the Vienna Universal 
Exhibition of 1873. 

STYLE OF THE BUILDINGS — MATERIALS USED AND DECORATION. 

With the single exception of the Main Rotunda, all the buildings in 
this Vienna Exhibition may be embraced in two styles of construction and 
decoration, and the result obtained shows a similarity, both in manner and 
in finish, which runs through all the architectural work that is to be seen. 

First. Buildings constructed in the Swiss Chalet style, viz : of wooden 
frame work filled in with brick, and plastered on the outside : the frame work 
showing on the exterior and generally colored so as to make it very 
prominent. 

These buildings display the most varied forms in their designs, the 
majority showing excellent taste and adaptability to the purposes for which 
they are intended. 

This style of building is characteristic of the central part of Europe, 
viz : South Germany, Switzerland and Austria, and is seen at this Exhibition 
in all its glory. The main entrance to the Exhibition, the Railroad Station, 
all the covered ways, and almost all the buildings put up by private parties 
are in this style. The general appearance of the smaller buildings of the 
Exhibition, although displaying much sameness in the materials used 
and manner of building, is nevertheless very pleasing, because the designs 
are artistic and well adapted to their several uses. 

The second mode of building is to use rough brick work throughout for 
the principal parts, and then cover the whole exterior with what the 
Germans call " Gyps," which is plaster, cement or stucco. Zinc is used for 
roofing almost exclusively, and for very many of the large cornices. Where a 
particularly rich and expensive effect is required, colored slate is introduced, 
as in the roof of the Jury Pavilion. The stucco, after drying, is colored to 
resemble the stone obtained from the great quarries near Paris, and the zinc 
roofs are left unpainted. The stucco finish admits of the most elaborate 
ornamentation, being introduced at a small cost, and produces an effect which 
is wonderfully beautiful and apparently monumental, so long as one forgets 
that it is all a sham, and that the columns, cornices, window architraves, 
balustrades, vases and statuary are made of a substance but a little better than 
common plaster. All the superb facades of the Industrial Palace, Jury 
Pavilion and Emperor's Pavilion^are executed in this stucco finish on rough 
brick walls. The designs are throughout grand and monumental. 

Particularly beautiful are the corridors, with groined arched roofs, and the 
main entrances, with large memorial tablets above the arches, and the medal- 
lions between the principal columns. The main columns supporting the 
Rotunda are also encased in a wooden frame-work, with a stucco finish. 



REPOR T OF HENR Y PE TTIT. 4 x 

The proportions of these columns are admirable and imposing in the 
extreme, and the whole corridor is considered one of the best examples of 
interior decoration on a large scale that will be found anywhere. Such ex- 
cellent results have only been obtained by employing the very best talent in 
that line. Much of the very best of the interior decoration of the Industrial 
Palace is owing to the invention of an Italian, M. Bossi, of Milan, who dis- 
covered how to paint patterns on common canvas in such a manner that at a 
little distance the effect thus produced could not be distinguished from real 
painting. All through last summer thousands of square yards of this mate- 
rial were being prepared at the establishment of M. Bossi, near Vienna. 
The canvas when finished costs from 7^/. to is. per yard, according to the 
color, and has this great advantage over paper hangings, that it has no ten- 
dency to bag when applied to damp walls, and consequently can be used as 
soon as the structure is finished without waiting for it to dry. All the col- 
umns and cornices throughout the entire Industrial Palace are decorated 
with this painted canvas, and the entire ceiling of the immense Rotunda is 
lined with it. The patterns printed on are sometimes in gilt, and sometimes 
in bright colors; and the canvas in certain cases is stained a bright crimson. 
Much of this ornamentation is not put on yet, so I speak only of the more 
substantial part. 

It will be extremely important in designing our Centennial buildings 
to employ the very best talent in the designing and decoration, as very much 
of the success of the whole Exhibition will depend undoubtedly upon the 
effective and monumental appearance of the buildings. 

With our varied colored bricks, tiles and slate, and proper introduction 
of terra cotta, and cast and wrought iron work, we ought, however, to pro- 
duce an equally monumental effect, and be much more true to the construc- 
tion, and consequently improve upon the immense stucco shams which are 
so characteristic of this Exhibition. 

METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION AND TIME OF ERECTION. 

First, in regard to the great Rotunda : This consists of an immense 
conical wrought iron roof, supported on thirty-two wrought iron columns. 
The columns rest on base plates, laid on concrete foundations. 

These columns are box-shaped in section, being 24.4 metres high; at 
their centre 3.05 metres deep, and 1.24 metres wide. The boxing is not 
continuous throughout, seven bays or openings having been left in each of 
the longer sides. 

They are stiffened by angle irons running vertically, and by bulkheads 
of iron lattice work horizontally. 

The head and foot of each column are made stronger than the body, the 
foot being plated up 1 metre in height, and having bulkheads. On two 
sides of the columns are plate-iron brackets 14. 1 metres above the foot, 
for the springing line of the arches which connect the columns. The plates 
used in these columns are 10 m. m. thick, the foundation plate being 13 
m. m. ; angle irons, .1x.1x.013 m. ; and rivet holes 18 m. m. in diameter. 

The workmanship on these columns, and particularly on some of the 
main radial girders hereafter to be described, is not as good as that turned 
out at our best bridge and roof works in the United States. 

The conical wrought iron roof consists of three principal members or 
sets of members : 

1st. A great tension ring, which surmounts the heads of the columns. 

2d. A series of radial girders inclined at an angle of nearly 31 
with the horizon, which are strongly riveted at their lower ends to the 



42 VIENNA UNIVERSAL EXHIBITION 

tension ring, and exert an outward horizontal thrust which is resisted by the 
ring. 

3d. A top compression ring to resist the inward thrust of the radial 
girders at their upper ends. Each of the above radial girders has other 
secondary duties to perform not mentioned above, and is strengthened by a 
series of five ring girders, placed between the different radial girders at 
similar distances up the roof. The radial girders taper from, say 6V V at 
the bottom to 2 , o n at the top. 

The entire underside of this roof is lined with wrought iron plates — 
thick, made to lap — joint, and be riveted and caulked. It will be noticed 
that the entire exterior of this roof is therefore a series of immense troughs, 
in which I am told snow collected last winter as much as four feet deep. 

The lining plates do not come in contact with ring girders, however, 
at every point, because of the overlap, so that there are )4"x say 2 v .o >v 
spaces left to allow the rain to run down under the ring girders to the 
cornice at the main tension ring, and thence down through the posts to the 
ground. Some engineers consider this an advantage, as it prevents the 
snow from accumulating on one part, and keeps it more or less distributed 
over the roof in these troughs. I myself should doubt exceedingly the 
permanent efficacy of such an arrangement if used in the United States, 
and should expect that the chances of leakage into the building would be 
very much increased thereby. 

The effect of the direct rays of the summer's sun upon such an immense 
surface of plate iron immediately exposed to it, remains to be noticed yet; 
also whether the seams, which are caulked and white leaded, will remain 
tight enough to hold snow water, if it should collect to any considerable 
amount, remains to be seen. At present the roof appears to be perfectly 
water-tight. I was on it immediately after a heavy rain, and the drainage 
seemed admirable. 

The exact method used in putting up the main columns which support 
the roof, and also that of erecting the roof itself, was one decided upon by 
the contractor who built the Rotunda. The method proposed by Mr. Scott 
Russell, the Engineer, was not adopted, and the consequence was that an 
immense extra expense for scaffolding and equipment was incurred by the 
Director of the Exhibition. Mr. Russell's method I shall give in my final 
report ; the one actually employed was as follows, being thus graphically 
described by Mr. Geo. C. W. Holmes, who is Mr. Scott Russell's Engi- 
neer and representative on the ground : 

"For the erection of the columns a strong circular scaffold, 8 metres 
high, was provided, which encircled the entire Rotunda. From the floor 
of this scaffold were suspended sixty-four powerful screws, viz : two to each 
column. These latter arrived in segments, the heads coining first and the 
bottom segments last. The heads were then placed in position on the 
concrete foundations, and were bound together by the wrought iron girders, 
which form the supports for the great interior gallery round the base of the 
cone. To the outer sides of these segments were bolted strong wrought 
iron brackets, to which were fastened links suspended from the above 
mentioned screws. All the sixty-four screws were then turned simultane- 
ously by means of long wooden levers, the column heads of course following 
them, and rising for each complete revolution of the levers through a 
distance equal to the pitch of the screws. This operation was continued 
till the column heads were raised high enough to allow of the next segments 
being pushed in underneath and riveted to them. The wrought iron 
brackets were then removed from the heads, and attached to these second 
segments, the screws being lowered so as to allow of the links being attached 



REPOR T OF HENR Y PE TTIT. 43 

to the brackets in their new position. The operation of lifting was then 
repeated just as before, till the third segment could be thrust in, and in this 
way the whole of the columns were put in place. In the meantime, another 
great circular scaffolding was being erected in the centre of the building, 
and was made wide and high enough to allow of the platform of the great 
lantern being built upon it. When the scaffold and platform were com- 
pleted, the radial girders were brought in segments into the interior of the 
building, and were deposited and riveted together on the floor, every one 
exactly underneath the position which it was eventually to occupy. They 
were then raised each in one piece, by means of cranes, to the required 
height, their upper ends being riveted to the ring platform, while the lower 
extremities were made fast to the column heads." 

There being nothing very peculiar about the construction or erection 
of the other parts of the principal buildings, I shall not describe them in 
this report. 

As to the time occupied in erecting the various buildings, the accom- 
panying set of photographs, published under the authority of the General 
Direction, is the best record we can have, as each one is dated, and shows 
the exact state of the work at the time. 

WATER SUPPLY AND FIRE DEPARTMENT. 

Very few previous Exhibitions, if any, have had such extensive arrange- 
ments made for the water supply as this in Vienna. The Prater itself affords 
unusual facilities to proprietors of refreshment saloons and to exhibitors in 
annexed buildings, as it is only necessary to sink a tube well at any part of 
the grounds to get an abundant supply of good drinking water, purified by 
passing through the Danube gravel. But for supplying the hydraulic motors, 
fire-plugs, fountains, &c, three systems of service have been provided. Of 
these the first consists of two steam pumps, constructed on the system of M. 
Prunier, of Lyons, these pumps being erected at the eastern end of the 
Machinery Hall, and being capable of supplying 20,000 cubic feet of water 
per hour. The principal object of these pumps is to supply the machine 
hall, but as this demand will absorb but a small portion of the quantity 
which the pumps are capable of delivering, there will remain from this source 
a considerable supply of good, filtered drinking water for other purposes. 

The second system of water-works is erected in the western end of the 
Machinery Hall, for the purpose of furnishing the necessary water for the 
fire-plugs in the buildings, for the hydrants, the fountains, hydraulic motors, 
&c. , &c. , the whole being worked upon the high pressure system. The reser- 
voir belonging to this system is placed upon an iron tower no feet high, 
situated between the Exhibition Palace and the Machinery Hall, and it feeds 
a net-work of pipes of the aggregate length of about 9^ miles, supplying 
the whole Exhibition buildings and grounds with water. There will be fixed, 
in connection with these pipes, about 100 fire-plugs in the buildings, and 
nearly 150 hydrants in the open air. The steam pumps are capable of feed- 
ing the high pressure work with 10,000 cubic feet per hour. Finally, a third 
system of water-works is established chiefly for the purpose of feeding the 
six large fountains placed in front of the Exhibition Palace. For this pur- 
pose a well is sunk near the Jury Pavilion, by means of a steam engine con- 
structed by Sigl, the well being 12 feet diameter, and is sunk 20 feet deep 
below datum. From this well the water will be raised by two steam pumps, 
and partly forced to the fountains, and partly used for drinking and other 
purposes. This system will be capable of discharging about 10,000 cubic 
feet per hour, and will be connected with the high pressure system in order 
to aid the latter in case of fire. In the aggregate the water-works erected 
for the service of this Exhibition will be capable of supylying 40,000 cubic 



44 



VIENNA UNIVERSAL EXHIBITION 



feet of water per hour. Watch-houses, each containing a fire-engine com- 
plete, with the necessary contingent of men, have been erected at numerous 
points on the grounds. In addition to this the principal buildings are so 
constructed that they can be easily cut in two, and thus, if a dangerous fire 
should arise, it can be isolated and confined to that portion of the building 
in which it originated. In due course of time, I shall have drawings of this 
entire water service. 

The following information with regard to our own Belmont Reservoir, 
near George's Hill, may be of use in this connection. I make the extract 
from a letter written by Mr. Wm. H. McFadden, Chief Engineer of Water 
Department, dated Philadelphia, March 10, 1873, m answer to a note I 
wrote him just before leaving home. " The total pumping capacity of Bel- 
mont Works is at present 10,000,000 gallons per diem, and will during the 
coming season be increased to 18,000,000 gallons per diem of twenty-four 
hours. The storage capacity of reservoir at George's Hill is 40,000,000 
gallons. Average daily quantity supplied during 1872, about 4,000,000 
gallons." 

VENTILATION AND SANITARY ARRANGEMENTS. 

In regard to the ventilation of this Industrial Palace, nothing can pos- 
sibly be imagined more perfect and satisfactory. 

The simple fact of having the immense Rotunda conical in shape, and 
open at the top, and at the same time located in the middle of the nave, 
which has all the transepts opening into it, has resulted in making the whole 
building one huge self-ventilating apparatus, which operates as follows : 

The lantern of the Rotunda is open between the columns, and acts as 
an immense chimney to draw the warm air from the large circular hall 
below. 

This Hall in turn is supplied by air from the nave or main corridor and 
the nave from the various transepts. 

Several times when I have been standing on the balcony around the foot 
of the lantern, the draft through the opening from the hall below has been 
strong enongh to blow my handkerchief straight out when held up by the 
corners. 

In regard to sanitary arrangements, water closets, &c, I shall have defi- 
nite information when they are finished and have been tried by use. 

COST. 

The actual cost of the Vienna Exhibition buildings and improvements 
has far exceeded the original estimates. With regard to several of the prin- 
cipal items of expense, it ^is not difficult, however, to account for this in- 
crease, and the one item alone of the Rotunda roof may be cited as an example ; 
as the Austrian Engineers more than doubled its weight in wrought iron 
over the amount estimated as necessary by Mr. Scott Russell. This increased 
weight in the roof necessitated heavier columns and foundations, and in- 
creased the cost in proportion. The result of the various changes, modifi- 
cations and additions concerning the first plans, has resulted in the original 
six millions of florins, which the Austrian Reichsrath or Parliament voted 
for the purposes of the Exhibition, being finally increased to 16 millions of 
florins. 

At the present stage of the Exhibition, while so much work is still 
going on, it is of course impossible to decide what the actual cost will be, 
but it may be useful to know that in the opinion of those connected with 
the work, it is now generally conceded that when all is complete and fin- 
ished, it will be found that this Vienna Universal Exhibition has cost in 
round numbers not much less than 20 million florins, or say 10 millions of 
dollars. 



REPOR T OF HENR Y PE TTIT. 45 

The following are some of the prices actually paid for several of the 
most important materials used in the various buildings. I give the amounts 
in the same coin as they have been given to me by those engaged in the 
work : 

Fir Timber — 5 pence per cubic foot. 

This timber is used in these buildings in about the same way we would 
use white pine. 

Piles — including driving — 90 kreutzers per running foot. 

These are about 10" diameter at the head, and penetrate say 10 feet or 
more, depending upon location. 

Bricks — (not laid) — from 50 shillings to 60 shillings per 1000. 

These bricks are much larger than ours, being 11^2" by 5^" by 2j^", 
and are very rough at that. Hard bricks, such as we use, are not liked by 
the workmen here, as they are so frequently required to round off the edges 
to make the bricks take the plaster or stucco finish. If the bricks are not 
comparatively soft, the workmen will not use them. 

Canvas — Plain ground, ^ yards wide, 30 kreutzers per yard. Colored 
ground, ^ yards wide, 60 kreutzers per yard. 

It will be remembered that an immense amount of canvas has been 
used in these buildings. The entire under side of the roof of the Rotunda 
is lined with it, almost every column in the interior is cased in it, and 
every interior cornice is decorated with it. It is made in England and 
printed near Vienna. 

Wrought Iron. 

The first contracts were @ ^20 per ton, manufactured, delivered and 
directed — but afterwards when iron went up in price they were made at ^£25 
per ton. This iron is from Belgium, and was manufactured at Duisburg on 
the Rhine. 

There is no cast iron used in the buildings worth ♦ mentioning, the 
amount being so small. 

RAILWAY AND CITY COMMUNICATION. 

One of the principal defects in the arrangements in connection with 
previous Exhibitions has been the lack of adequate direct railway commu- 
nication to the very doors of the various buildings, and special attention 
has been paid to rectifying this defect here at Vienna. 

The "Stadtsbahn" (State Railroad) and the " Nordbahn " (North 
Railroad,) are the two principal lines which reach Vienna in the vicinity of 
the Prater, (see maps Nos. 2, 3, 4,) and it has been by joining these two 
lines by means of a connecting rail?-oad through the Prater, that immediate 
communication has been made with all the railroads of the Austrian 
Empire. This connecting railroad was built in the spring of 1872. Where 
it enters the Exhibition grounds, it spreads out into some dozen branches or 
sidings, one or more of which runs past the outside of each of the main 
buildings, and by means of small turn-tables, trucks containing building 
materials or objects for exhibition can be conveyed directly to the spot 
where they are wanted. The tracks are laid with the top of the rail about 
4" below the floor level, and they will be floored over during the continu- 
ance of the Exhibition. The principal passenger station for the Exhibition 
is located just back of the centre of the Machinery Hall ; and covered ways 



46 VIENNA UNIVERSAL EXHIBITION 

connect it with the principal buildings. I have made arrangements to 
obtain from the Chief Engineer of Railroad Communication official draw- 
ings of these connections throughout, and will have them in course of time. 
Yesterday morning I understood there were three hundred cars waiting 
to be unloaded for the Industry Palace. I went out in the afternoon to see 
the result, and found the arrangements were so simple and satisfactory that 
all was done with perfect order and dispatch. The warehouses for storing 
empty boxes are located in various parts of the ground, and others are being 
built at the lower end of the Prater, some distance from the Industry 
Palace. I see a large number of empty boxes are now standing in the 
space back of the machine hall waiting for transportation to the warehouses. 
This storing of empty boxes during the Exhibition is considered a very 
important matter by the authorities here, and provision has been made 
accordingly. It will be remembered that at Paris much confusion, delay, 
and serious trouble was experienced after the Exhibition closed in finding 
the boxes to repack exhibited articles. The fee charged here for storing 
packages is on an average about 40 cents per cubic metre, and workshops 
are provided for repairing them at a moderate charge. In regard to the 
method of rapid transit between the city and the Exhibition, I am surprised 
to see so little provision made. No line of street cars extends nearer than 
the Prater stern, (see maps Nos. 2 and 3,) and but two lines of omnibuses 
are now running out from the Stephen Platz, or centre of the city, to the 
Industrial Palace every two minutes — fare 7 cents. The fact is that 
the Prater is near enough to the heart of the city for the mass of the people 
to walk there, and fiacres, or light one and two-horse carriages will be much 
in demand for those who prefer to ride. The impression upon a stranger 
at this time is that the means of conveyance out to the Exhibition is inade- 
quate to what will be required. What may be done after May first, remains 
to be seen. 

Vienna, Austria, April 28, 1873. 

I mentioned in my last letter on the 17th inst. that I expected to meet 
again Mr. Scott Russell, for the purpose of laying before him my maps and 
plans of Fairmount Park and Philadelphia, and obtaining from him any sug- 
gestions that he might see fit to offer. I have done so, and found that Mr. 
Russell took great interest in our undertaking, spending the best part of two 
days in taking me over his great Rotunda here, and in discussing various 
points with regard to our own Exhibition in 1876. 

In general terms, the principal points suggested for consideration by 
Mr. Russell may be stated under the following heads; but I must preface by 
saying that during our two days' intercourse, I was able to take many 
notes from him which are too long and technical to repeat in a communi- 
cation like this, but which I hope may prove of use from time to time to 
the Commission. 

Mr. Russell suggested, as follows : 

1. The nature of the site that has been already determined upon in 
Philadelphia decides that we can much better erect a main building or In- 
dustrial Palace, which is more or less circular in form than any other. 

2. That in designing such a building, it is perfectly possible to retain 
all the advantages of the Paris system of classification, and at the same time 
avoid the objectionable features of that Exhibition. 

3. That when planning the building, if we can so arrange it that all 
pa~ts may be seen from some one central point, we shall produce a result 
that will be more satisfactory in use, and. infinitely finer in effect, than any- 
thing of the sort that has yet been accomplished. 



REP OR T OF HENR Y PE TTIT. 47 

4. That, when working up the drawings, great care should be taken 
to use repeatedly similar pieces in the construction, and avoid as much as 
possible a variety in the parts. 

There is not one of the above suggestions which is not of the greatest im- 
portance when considering what our buildings should be, and if any one of them 
should be overlooked, just in that respect will our building (as a whole) 
prove a failure. The London Exhibition of 185 1 was particularly good with 
regard to the points mentioned in the 3d and 4th suggestions, and will 
always be remembered on account of the good features therein mentioned. 
The Paris Exhibition was lamentably deficient in both the third and fourth 
respects, the third in particular, but will always be remembered on account 
of its excellent system of classification. 

This Vienna Industrial Palace is, of course, too new yet to tell what the 
general impression it may produce upon the world at large will be, but this 
much is certainly self-evident, that if the great rotunda, which furnishes the 
only grand view to be seen, were taken away, the remainder of the Industry 
Palace would not be considered worthy of notice outside of Vienna. 

How much superior, therefore, to all these previous Exhibitions will 
ours be when we combine all the above four principal considerations. We 
must not fail to produce the best Industrial Palace yet built. 

After considerable trouble, I have finally succeeded (to-day) in pro- 
curing, here in Vienna, some valuable drawings of previous Exhibitions, viz : 
London, 1851 ; London, 1862 ; Paris, 1855, and Paris, 1867. It was a most 
agreeable surprise to me to be able to get these drawings here, as I expected 
to have to hunt them up in Paris and London. They will certainly be of 
much interest to our Commission. 

I have been at work in all directions for them, and finally obtained them 
through Mr. August Kostlin, Royal Inspector of the Stadtsbahn and editor 
of the Allgemeine Bahnzeitung, the principal engineering journal of Central 
Europe. Mr. Kostlin has therefore assisted me very materially. 

Since my last communication to you, I have also had an interesting 
interview with Hofrath Eichler, the engineer who designed and superin- 
tended the construction of all the railroad communications in the immediate 
vicinity of the Exhibition. He informed me that his system of tracks was 
arranged for the unloading of 250 wagons per day, and was found to be per- 
fectly satisfactory in every respect from the commencement of the work in 
the Prater up to the 15th inst., but during the last two weeks it has proved 
entirely inadequate to the requirements. Upwards of 1,300 wagons are now 
standing in the vicinity of Vienna, waiting to be brought into the Prater. 
By working all night, in order to get the wagons into position so that exhib- 
itors may unload their goods in the morning, and by removing the empty 
boxes during the latter part of the day, the railroad officials manage to 
handle some 300 cars under the most favorable circumstances, but it would 
take at least five days to unload all the wagons now waiting in this neighbor- 
borhood. It is, therefore, very evident that, as wagons are still arriving 
from a distance, it will be nearly (if not quite) June 1 before all articles for 
the Exhibition are finally located in their proper places. 

Vienna, Austria, May 9, 1873. 

I am still following up my intention to see all the leading men engaged 
upon this work here, and during this last week have had a very suggestive 
interview with Mr. Hasenauer, the Chief Architect, the gentleman to 
whom Baron Schwarz is indebted for the admirable designs and decora- 
tions which make up the fagades of the several buildings. Mr. Hasenauer 
made one very strong point in particular, with regard to the advantages this 



A 



019 929 363 

4 g VIENNA UNIVERSAL EXHIBITION. 

Vienna "gridiron" plan of building has over previous Industrial Palaces; 
of the truth of which I have myself observed ample demonstration during the 
last three weeks, Mr. Hasenauer remarked, that owing to the great num- 
ber of large-sized doors, each leading into separate departments of the 
building, the various countries have been able to work separately, simulta- 
neously, with satisfaction to their various Commissions, and also as expedi- 
tiously as the delivery of goods would allow; whereas, if the building had 
been constructed with as few main entrances as in Paris, in 1867, the crush 
would certainly have damaged many articles. His remark was certainly 
very true. Mr. P. Cunliffe Owen, Secretary of the British Commission, 
also tells me that in London, in 1862, it was found necessary, at the last 
moment, even to cut holes through the wall in some places, in order to get 
articles into their proper positions ; the doors not having been made either 
large or frequent enough for the requirements. 

Mr. Owen has also very kindly given me copies of the plans and draw- 
ings issued bv the British Commission for the use of their own Exhibitors. 
These, of course, only apply to the British Departments in the various 
buildings, but they are admirable to show how a great country, which has 
given two Exhibitions, and has been well represented in many others, has 
arranged to transact the necessary business in the best way. _ The British 
Commission here is certainly most admirably organized. Their plan of the 
water pipe service is, in my opinion, much the best that has been issued by 
any parties. One of their Official Catalogues'! sent, by mail, to your ad- 
dress in Philadelphia. It left Vienna on the day before it was issued to the 
public. 

Vienna, Austria, May 26, 1873. 

The Exhibition here presents at this time a much more favorable appear- 
ance than it did two weeks ago, both as regards the internal arrangements 
of the various buildings and the general appearance of the surrounding 
grounds. The different exhibitors have had time to rearrange their articles, 
which were so hurriedly brought into position for the opening ceremonies, 
and as each day advances more order seems apparent in every department. 
Although the Rotunda and Main Gallery would appear at first sight to be 
entirely finished, that is, with all the cases and exhibits in their proper posi- 
tions, and very many of the articles are packed together as closely as the 
space will allow, yet every day brings something new into prominence. 
Many of the transepts and covered courts, however, still show unfinished 
cases, unpacked boxes, and workmen busily engaged in getting things into 
shape. I regret to be obliged to say that the American Department in 
the Industrial Palace is still among the latter, and that even to-day the pas- 
sage-way from the Main Gallery into the American Transept is barricaded 
with strips of wood nailed across from post to post, so that none but exhib- 
itors and interested parties are admitted. Some little seems to be done, 
however, every day, and I presume that eventually we shall have a satisfac- 
tory display. The prolonged unsettled state of affairs in the American 
Department is very much to be regretted, as it has placed, I fear, the interests 
of our Centennial in a false position before many people who do not draw 
any distinction between the different American Commissions represented 
here in Vienna, but judge of all by the one accredited by the Government 
to the Exhibition. 

I leave Vienna this week, and hope to be in Paris between June 15 and 
20, and in London by June 30 

Yours, very respectfully, 

HENRY PETTIT. 



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019 82s"S f f% 



